Research summary
Human-driven environmental changes, such as temperature shifts and noise pollution, are altering ecosystems, but their effects on animal sensory systems remain poorly understood. As Canada Research Chair in Invertebrate Neurobiology, Dr. Natasha Mhatre is investigating how certain cold-blooded animals sense and respond to vibrations and sound.
She and her research team are focusing on tree crickets and spiders, whose survival depends on having adaptable sensory systems that can adjust to the environment. By studying how these animals process sound and vibration at cellular, neural and behavioural levels, they are determining whether more complex sensory systems are better buffered or more vulnerable to environmental change. Their research integrates biophysics, neurobiology and ecology to offer insights into how sensory systems evolve and adapt to human-caused disturbances over time. Ultimately, Mhatre and her team are advancing our understanding of animal communication and adaptation, with broader implications for ecology, conservation and neuroscience.