3D models of Artibeus jamaicensis and Rhinolophus pusillus hyoid apparatus and tympanic bones

The morphology of the stylohyal-tympanic bone articulation found in laryngeally echolocating 7 bats is highly indicative of a function associated with signal production. One untested hypothesis is that 8 this morphology allows the transfer of a sound signal from the larynx to the tympanic bones (auditory 9 bulla) via the hyoid apparatus during signal production by the larynx. We used µCT data and finite 10 element analysis (FEA) to model the propagation of sound through the hyoid chain into the tympanic 11 bones to test this hypothesis. We modeled sound pressure (dB) wave propagation from the basihyal to the 12 tympanic bones, vibratory behavior (m) of the stylohyal – tympanic bone unit, and the stylohyal and 13 tympanic bones when the stylohyal bone is allowed to pivot on the tympanic bone. Sound pressure wave 14 propagation was modeled using the harmonic acoustics solver in ANSYS and vibratory behavior was 15 modeled using coupled modal and harmonic response analyses in ANSYS. For bot...