Non-Neural Extensions of haptic Sensitivity

Abstract

Some animals are served perceptually by keratinous appendages without nervous supply, such as vibrissae, whereas others (principally primates) are able to perceive using inorganic tools. These capacities may be designated extended haptic percep- tion. Examples of extended haptic perception in crustaceans, whiskered animals, nonhuman primates, and humans are reviewed. It is argued that such perceptual recruitment of neurally inert components shows perception, per se, to be more fundamental than specialized perceptual organs.