Functional morphology of the ear in fossorial rodents, Microtus arvalis and Arvicola terrestris

Functionally relevant features and parameters of the outer, middle, and inner ear were studied morphologically and morphometrically in two species of voles, smaller Microtus arvalis and larger Arvicola terrestris. The findings in these fossorial (i.e., burrowing) rodents with components of surface activity were compared with respective findings reported for taxonomically related muroid rodents representing the same size classes but different eco‐morphotypes: obligate subterranean rodents (Ellobius talpinus and Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies) and generalized rodents (Mus domesticus and Rattus norvegicus). The ear in voles was characterized by traits reported for subterranean rodents. The eardrum was round, without a distinct pars flaccida, and had an area of 5.4 mm2 in M. arvalis and 9 mm2 in A. terrestris. The middle ear exhibited reduced goniale, enlarged incus nearly parallel to the manubrium of the malleus. The malleus‐incus lever ratio amounted to 2.1 (M. arvalis) and 2.0 (A. terrestris). The malleus‐incus complex weighed about 0.8 mg in both vole species. The stapedial footplate had an area of 0.3 mm2 in M. arvalis and 0.4 mm2 in A. terrestris. The cochlea had 2.3 coils in both vole species; the basilar membrane was 8.5 mm and 10.5 mm long in M. arvalis and A. terrestris, respectively. There were on average 1,030 (M. arvalis) and 1,220 (A. terrestris) inner hair cells, and 3,760 (M. arvalis) and 4,250 (A. terrestris) outer hair cells in the organ of Corti. In quantitative terms, all these (as well as some further) traits and parameters were intermediate (related to body size) between those reported for generalized rodents on the one hand and subterranean ones on the other. The sound transmission system of the ear seems to be best tuned to frequencies of about 8–16 kHz with a high‐frequency cut‐off at about 50–60 kHz. The ear of A. terrestris seems to be tuned to somewhat lower frequencies than that in M. arvalis. In this aspect as well as regarding hearing sensitivity (as judged from the mechanical transmission parameters), voles can be considered intermediate not only in their lifestyle but also in their hearing abilities between the subterranean rodents (mole‐vole and blind mole‐rat) and the surface dwellers (house mouse and Norway rat). J. Morphol. 262:770–779, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.