Dolphins' remarkable ability to navigate and hunt using echolocation is the focus of new research. A recent study published in PLOS ONE on June 9, 2025, provides insights into the unique brain structures that enable this complex behavior.
The research, conducted by scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and other universities, compared the brains of echolocating dolphins with those of non-echolocating baleen whales. The study focused on the inferior colliculus, a midbrain structure that processes auditory information.
Researchers found that dolphins have more cortical regions connected to sound processing. The most significant difference lies in the pathways from the inferior colliculus to the cerebellum. This suggests the cerebellum plays a crucial role in integrating auditory information with motor control, enabling dolphins to actively direct their echolocation beams.
Peter Tyack, co-author of the study, explained that echolocation is part hearing and part vocalization. This active control allows dolphins to navigate and hunt effectively. The findings offer potential applications in technology, such as improving sonar systems and medical ultrasound imaging.