Neural heterogeneities influence envelope and temporal coding at the sensory periphery

▶Time varying envelopes (i.e. contrast modulations) are seen ubiquitously in both auditory and visual stimuli and are necessary for their perception. ▶The mechanisms that give rise to envelope responses in sensory neurons are poorly understood to this day. ▶Using the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish as a model system, we show that heterogeneities in peripheral neural populations can have a strong influcence on their responses to these envelopes. ▶These results are likely to be applicable to other systems.