Lungs help detect sound: fire-bellied toad

1 of 2 Bombina orientalis / Dawson / License

The lungs of the fire-bellied toad allow the toad to hear in the absence of a tympanic middle ear, because sound waves permeate through the mouth and skin, then resonate in the lungs before passing to the inner ears.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Process information >
	Sense signals/environmental cues >
	Sound and other vibrations

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Hearing aids, underwater communication devices.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"How is it possible for a land vertebrate to hear if it has neither external nor middle ears to transmit sounds from the outside world to its inner ears? One species that can do so is the fire-bellied toad (Bombina orientalis). It is responsive to a wide range of airborne noises, and is also a versatile vocalist -- but how can it detect sound waves? In 1999, Ohio State University researchers Dr. Erik Lindquist and Dr. Thomas Hetherington unmasked its remarkable secret.

"Sound waves travel through its mouth and skin, entering its lungs, where they resonate before passing through the soft tissue around the lungs and into the inner ears. This auditory system should function underwater, too. Indeed, since sound waves travel faster through water than air, it should be more efficient there." (Shuker 2001:39)

About the inspiring organism

Bombina orientalis
Bombina orientalis (Boulenger, 1890)
[Fire-bellied toad]

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat(s): Artificial - Aquatic, Artificial - Terrestrial, Forest, Grassland, Shrubland

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Hearing aids, underwater communication devices.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Medical, communication

Experts

Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
Thomas Hetherington
Ohio State University

References

Shuker, KPN. 2001. The Hidden Powers of Animals: Uncovering the Secrets of Nature. London: Marshall Editions Ltd. 240 p.

Lungs help detect sound: fire-bellied toad

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