大象胡须的功能梯度增强触觉感知

Full article and list of author affiliations: https://doi.org/10.1126/ science.adx8981 Andrew K. Schulz*, Lena V. Kaufmann†, Lawrence T. Smith†, Deepti S. Philip, Hilda David, Jelena Lazovic, Michael Brecht, Gunther Richter, Katherine J. Kuchenbecker* INTRODUCTION: Animals have evolved a diverse array of sensing systems that help them traverse complex terrain, locate food, and detect predators. Many terrestrial and aquatic mammal species use specialized sensory hairs, known as whiskers, as active tactile sensory organs to monitor their environment. A follicle surrounds each whisker’s base with mechanoreceptors that respond to physical whisker stimulation and thereby extend the animal’s sense of touch. Most research focuses on how the geometry and/or neuromechanics of the whisker-follicle structure affect tactile sensitivity. …