Research Interests
Allen F. Mensinger
My main research interest in the neural mechanisms of behavior. We use a multi-disciplinary approach to determine how fish detect, integrate and respond to external cues in their environment. We are currently using the marine toadfish as our experimental model and much of this research transpires during the spring and summer at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. We have developed a chronically implanted electrode and neural telemetry tag that allows us to record real time neural activity from free swimming fish in quasi natural environments. We are the first lab to develop and successfully use this technology and hope to address a number of longstanding neuroethological questions that were not possible on the benchtop.
1) How
do toadfish localize underwater sound 
Male toadfish will produce loud “boatwhistles” to acoustically attract females to nesting sites. However, the rapid propagation of underwater sound and the small toadfish interaural distance makes it difficult for the females to localize the sound. Using implanted fish in a large saltwater pond, we are investigating the mechanisms which the females can select appropriate mates. Additionally, it would appear that the frequent and loud calls would significantly decrease the ability of the vocalizing male to hear other calls. Our working hypothesis is that efferent modulation of the hair cells during the calls may preserve hearing sensitivity in the intercall interval and allow male toadfish to hear other males and change their calling strategy. We are currently recording from vocalizing males and monitoring hearing sensitivity with the telemetry tag. To insure that our procedures are not interfering with the normal behavior of the toadfish, we are simultaneously conducting behavioral experiments with control and implanted fish as well as making field observations with natural populations
2) Lateral line function in free swimming fish
The mechanosensory lateral line has implicated in a variety of behaviors (i.e. prey detection, fish schooling). However the vast majority of the study has been on restrained fish or have used artificial sources (vibrating dipoles). We have been examining lateral line sensitivity in free swimming fish and have discovered that lateral line sensitivity is of much shorter distance (less than 40% body length) to naturally relevant stimulus that has been alluded to in the literature. We are now trying to understand how the lateral line functions during fish motion.
3) The sensory physiology of the round goby
The round goby is an invasive species in the great lakes that is out competing native fish. Our objective is to compare the sensory physiology (i.e lateral line, vision) of the round goby with native species that it is impacting. Simultaneously, we are establishing artificial streams to examine goby interactions at different densities. Like the toadfish, the gobies produce sound and we are beginning to investigate the parameters of this communication strategy.
4) Carp management
We are using a two prong approach for investigating methods
to control the common carp. Currently,
we are conditioning the fish to sounds associated with feeding and determining
if we can lure schools of carp into strategic areas where they can be captured.
In conjunction with Peter Sorensen of
the