Sensory physiology in delphinids

Perception of sensory information is a crucial part of an animal's life. Delphinids provide an intriguing example of how mammalian sensory systems can adapt to the aquatic environment. Yet, our knowledge on how delphinids perceive the world is patchy. For some sensory systems, extensive research efforts have provided detailed information as is the case for audition, while others, such as chemo- or electroreception, are hardly understood or have only recently been discovered. Here, we summarize delphinid sensory physiology, highlight gaps in our understanding of delphinid sensory systems, and provide a tentative assessment of the role each modality plays in their lives. This review not only addresses the individual sensory modalities but also underscores the combination of sensory information available to delphinids, which provides a complex, rich experience of their environment.