Dogfish hair cells sense hydrostatic pressure

Many marine invertebrates and fish respond to hydrostatic pressure in order to regulate their depth and synchronize their behaviour to tidal cycles. Here we investigate the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the vestibular hair cells located in the labyrinth of the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula, and find that it modulates their spontaneous activity and response to angular acceleration. This may explain not only the low resting activity of vertebrate hair cells but also how fish that do not have swim bladders can sense hydrostatic cues.