Activity patterns of neurons in the peripheral auditory system of some reptiles

Activity patterns of single auditory units in the peripheral auditory system are described for the caiman, leopard lizard and Tokay gecko. In each species, the peristimulus time histogram has predominantly one shape, resembling mammalian 'primary like' units in the caiman and leopard lizard. In the Tokay gecko, most units have a new kind of PST shape, the gecko type which has a sharp initial peak and lower discharge rates than in the other species. It is suggested that this peculiar response pattern may depend on the unique structure of the tectorial membrane in geckos.