The Systems Biology of hearing Evolution in Vertebrates

The evolution of vertebrates from water to land experienced a series of important changes, in which mechanosensation should be one of the most apparent events. The lateral line organs on the fish's both sides can perceive the water pressure and maintain stably their body in water. As to the hearing sensation on fish, it is not clear yet, although it has a pair of ears. However, the terrestrial vertebrates evoled from fish in water have to depend the auditory feeling. The auditory perception or hearing is apparently different from other senses, which is going around individual, without actually paying attention to its environment. It is always working, day and night, to warn of danger for the animal itself. In addition, it also helps the animal to mate. This paper discusses the morphological evolution for hearing in vertebrates living from water to land, and explores the molecular aspects according to the advances in hearing in vertebrates. Obviously, this is a view from systems biology.