Similarity in the spatial acuity of dolphin, bat, and human biosonar despite radically different hearing capabilities

Key Points

• The aim is to investigate the spatial acuity of biosonar in dolphins, bats, and humans, despite their differing hearing capabilities.
• Measured spatial acuity of dolphin biosonar in horizontal and vertical planes with a threshold of approximately 1.5°.
• Conducted tests on dolphins, bats, and humans to assess similarities and differences in biosonar spatial acuity.
• Discussed auditory mechanisms related to biosonar function and sound propagation differences between air and water.
• Dolphins show a spatial acuity threshold of approximately 1.5°, similar to that of bats and humans.
• No significant differences in spatial acuity were found among species, despite differences in auditory capabilities.
• Studies replicated findings across various laboratories over 50 years, confirming the outcomes.