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Marggraf LC, Lindecke O, Voigt CC, Pētersons G, Voigt-Heucke SL. Nathusius’ bats, Pipistrellus nathusii, bypass mating opportunities of their own species, but respond to foraging heterospecifics on migratory transit flights. Front Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.908560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In late summer, migratory bats of the temperate zone face the challenge of accomplishing two energy-demanding tasks almost at the same time: migration and mating. Both require information and involve search efforts, such as localizing prey or finding potential mates. In non-migrating bat species, playback studies showed that listening to vocalizations of other bats, both con-and heterospecifics, may help a recipient bat to find foraging patches and mating sites. However, we are still unaware of the degree to which migrating bats depend on con-or heterospecific vocalizations for identifying potential feeding or mating opportunities during nightly transit flights. Here, we investigated the vocal responses of Nathusius’ pipistrelle bats, Pipistrellus nathusii, to simulated feeding and courtship aggregations at a coastal migration corridor. We presented migrating bats either feeding buzzes or courtship calls of their own or a heterospecific migratory species, the common noctule, Nyctalus noctula. We expected that during migratory transit flights, simulated feeding opportunities would be particularly attractive to bats, as well as simulated mating opportunities which may indicate suitable roosts for a stopover. However, we found that when compared to the natural silence of both pre-and post-playback phases, bats called indifferently during the playback of conspecific feeding sounds, whereas P. nathusii echolocation call activity increased during simulated feeding of N. noctula. In contrast, the call activity of P. nathusii decreased during the playback of conspecific courtship calls, while no response could be detected when heterospecific call types were broadcasted. Our results suggest that while on migratory transits, P. nathusii circumnavigate conspecific mating aggregations, possibly to save time or to reduce the risks associated with social interactions where aggression due to territoriality might be expected. This avoidance behavior could be a result of optimization strategies by P. nathusii when performing long-distance migratory flights, and it could also explain the lack of a response to simulated conspecific feeding. However, the observed increase of activity in response to simulated feeding of N. noctula, suggests that P. nathusii individuals may be eavesdropping on other aerial hawking insectivorous species during migration, especially if these occupy a slightly different foraging niche.
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Tan X, Lin A, Sun K, Jin L, Feng J. Greater Horseshoe Bats Recognize the Sex and Individual Identity of Conspecifics from Their Echolocation Calls. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243490. [PMID: 36552410 PMCID: PMC9774574 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The echolocation calls of bats are mainly used for navigation and foraging; however, they may also contain social information about the emitter and facilitate social interactions. In this study, we recorded the echolocation calls of greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and analyzed the acoustic parameter differences between the sexes and among individuals. Then, we performed habituation-discrimination playback experiments to test whether greater horseshoe bats could recognize the sex and individual identity of conspecifics from their echolocation calls. The results showed that there were significant differences in the echolocation call parameters between sexes and among individuals. When we switched playback files from a habituated stimuli to a dishabituated stimuli, the tested bats exhibited obvious behavioral responses, including nodding, ear or body movement, and echolocation emission. The results showed that R. ferrumequinum can recognize the sex and individual identity of conspecifics from their echolocation calls alone, which indicates that the echolocation calls of R. ferrumequinum may have potential communication functions. The results of this study improve our understanding of the communication function of the echolocation calls of bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tan
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (J.F.); Tel./Fax: +86-0431-85098097 (J.F.)
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130000, China
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130000, China
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (J.F.); Tel./Fax: +86-0431-85098097 (J.F.)
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Bergmann A, Gloza-Rausch F, Wimmer B, Kugelschafter K, Knörnschild M. Similarities in social calls during autumn swarming may facilitate interspecific communication between Myotis bat species. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.950951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats employ a variety of social calls for communication purposes. However, for most species, social calls are far less studied than echolocation calls and their specific function often remains unclear. We investigated the function of in-flight social calls during autumn swarming in front of a large hibernaculum in Northern Germany, whose main inhabitants are two species of Myotis bats, Natterer’s bats (Myotis nattereri) and Daubenton’s bats (Myotis daubentonii). We recorded social calls in nights of high swarming activity and grouped the calls based on their spectro-temporal structure into ten types and verified our visual classification by a discriminant function analysis. Whenever possible, we subsequently assigned social calls to either M. daubentonii or M. nattereri by analyzing the echolocation calls surrounding them. As many bats echolocate at the same time during swarming, we did not analyze single echolocation calls but the “soundscape” surrounding each social call instead, encompassing not only spectral parameters but also the timbre (vocal “color”) of echolocation calls. Both species employ comparatively similar social call types in a swarming context, even though there are subtle differences in call parameters between species. To additionally gain information about the general function of social calls produced in a swarming context, we performed playback experiments with free-flying bats in the vicinity of the roost, using three different call types from both species, respectively. In three out of six treatments, bat activity (approximated as echolocation call rate) increased during and after stimulus presentation, indicating that bats inspected or approached the playback site. Using a camera trap, we were sometimes able to identify the species of approaching bats. Based on the photos taken during playbacks, we assume one call type to support interspecific communication while another call type works for intraspecific group cohesion.
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4
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Tan X, Li Y, Sun K, Jin L, Feng J. Mutual mother‐pup acoustic identification in Asian particolored bats. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9554. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Tan
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Yu Li
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Jilin Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Avian Ecology and Conservation Genetics Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- College of Life Science Jilin Agricultural University Changchun China
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5
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Bergmann A, Burchardt LS, Wimmer B, Kugelschafter K, Gloza‐Rausch F, Knörnschild M. The soundscape of swarming: Proof of concept for a noninvasive acoustic species identification of swarming
Myotis
bats. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9439. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Bergmann
- Museum für Naturkunde Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
- Animal Behavior Lab, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Lara S. Burchardt
- Museum für Naturkunde Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
- Animal Behavior Lab, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
| | - Bernadette Wimmer
- Naturschutz, Landwirtschaft, Gartenbau, Schifffahrt und Wasserwirtschaft Landratsamt Garmisch‐Patenkirchen Garmisch‐Patenkirchen Germany
| | | | - Florian Gloza‐Rausch
- Museum für Naturkunde Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
- Noctalis Fledermaus‐Zentrum GmbH Bad Segeberg Germany
- Deutsche Fledermauswarte e.V Berlin Germany
| | - Mirjam Knörnschild
- Museum für Naturkunde Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science Berlin Germany
- Animal Behavior Lab, Freie Universität Berlin Berlin Germany
- Deutsche Fledermauswarte e.V Berlin Germany
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6
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Paulsson NI, Taborsky M. Norway rats help social partners in need in response to ultrasonic begging signals. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Ingvar Paulsson
- Division of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern Switzerland
| | - Michael Taborsky
- Division of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern Switzerland
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Konstanz Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study (Wissenschaftskolleg) Berlin Germany
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7
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Kohles JE, O'Mara MT, Dechmann DKN. A conceptual framework to predict social information use based on food ephemerality and individual resource requirements. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:2039-2056. [PMID: 35932159 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Environmental variability poses a range of challenges to foraging animals trying to meet their energetic needs. Where food patches are unpredictable but shareable, animals can use social information to locate patches more efficiently or reliably. However, resource unpredictability can be heterogeneous and complex. The behavioural strategies animals employ to exploit such resources also vary, particularly if, when, and where animals use available social information. We reviewed the literature on social information use by foraging animals and developed a novel framework that integrates four elements - (1) food resource persistence; (2) the relative value of social information use; (3) behavioural context (opportunistic or coordinated); and (4) location of social information use - to predict and characterize four strategies of social information use - (1) local enhancement; (2) group facilitation; (3) following; and (4) recruitment. We validated our framework by systematically reviewing the growing empirical literature on social foraging in bats, an ideal model taxon because they exhibit extreme diversity in ecological niche and experience low predation risk while foraging but function at high energy expenditures, which selects for efficient foraging behaviours. Our framework's predictions agreed with the observed natural behaviour of bats and identified key knowledge gaps for future studies. Recent advancements in technology, methods, and analysis will facilitate additional studies in bats and other taxa to further test the framework and our conception of the ecological and evolutionary forces driving social information use. Understanding the links between food distribution, social information use, and foraging behaviour will help elucidate social interactions, group structure, and the evolution of sociality for species across the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E Kohles
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany.,Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.,Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
| | - M Teague O'Mara
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama.,Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, 808 N. Pine Street, Hammond, LA, 70402, USA
| | - Dina K N Dechmann
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg 1, 78315, Radolfzell, Germany.,Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.,Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
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8
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Fan B, Wang Y, Huang X, Zhang X, Yang J, Jiang T. The Potential to Encode Detailed Information About Parasites in the Acoustic Signals of Chinese Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophus sinicus). Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.908209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Condition-dependent acoustic signals that potentially reveal information about the signaler’s physical or physiological condition are common and important in the animal kingdom. Given the negative effects of parasites on the health and fitness of their hosts, it is reasonable to expect animal acoustic signals to reflect detailed information concerning parasite infection. However, despite previous studies having verified the potential of sexually selected vocalizations to provide information on parasitism based on the correlations between call acoustic properties and parasitism in some animal taxa, less is known about whether acoustic signals used in a non-sexual context also reflect parasite infection especially for highly vocal bats. We thus investigated the relationships between the acoustic properties of distress calls and echolocation pulses and the infestation intensity of gamasid mites and bat flies in Chinese horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus sinicus) to determine whether acoustic signals potentially contain information about parasite infection. We found that bats infected with more gamasid mites uttered significantly shorter echolocation pulses, suggesting that echolocation pulses may contain information on the intensity of mite infection. Additionally, bats infected with more gamasid mites emitted distress calls with narrower bandwidth, while bats with more bat flies emitted calls with longer pause duration. These results suggest that distress calls may not only reflect a signaler’s parasite infection intensity but also may provide information concerning infection with specific parasites. In short, our findings suggest that acoustic signals of bats potentially reflect detailed information about parasite infection.
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9
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Jones TK, Allen KM, Moss CF. Communication with self, friends and foes in active-sensing animals. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:273391. [PMID: 34752625 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Animals that rely on electrolocation and echolocation for navigation and prey detection benefit from sensory systems that can operate in the dark, allowing them to exploit sensory niches with few competitors. Active sensing has been characterized as a highly specialized form of communication, whereby an echolocating or electrolocating animal serves as both the sender and receiver of sensory information. This characterization inspires a framework to explore the functions of sensory channels that communicate information with the self and with others. Overlapping communication functions create challenges for signal privacy and fidelity by leaving active-sensing animals vulnerable to eavesdropping, jamming and masking. Here, we present an overview of active-sensing systems used by weakly electric fish, bats and odontocetes, and consider their susceptibility to heterospecific and conspecific jamming signals and eavesdropping. Susceptibility to interference from signals produced by both conspecifics and prey animals reduces the fidelity of electrolocation and echolocation for prey capture and foraging. Likewise, active-sensing signals may be eavesdropped, increasing the risk of alerting prey to the threat of predation or the risk of predation to the sender, or drawing competition to productive foraging sites. The evolutionary success of electrolocating and echolocating animals suggests that they effectively counter the costs of active sensing through rich and diverse adaptive behaviors that allow them to mitigate the effects of competition for signal space and the exploitation of their signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te K Jones
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kathryne M Allen
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Cynthia F Moss
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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10
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Leiser‐Miller LB, Santana SE. Functional differences in echolocation call design in an adaptive radiation of bats. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16153-16164. [PMID: 34824818 PMCID: PMC8601877 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
All organisms have specialized systems to sense their environment. Most bat species use echolocation for navigation and foraging, but which and how ecological factors shaped echolocation call diversity remains unclear for the most diverse clades, including the adaptive radiation of neotropical leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae). This is because phyllostomids emit low-intensity echolocation calls and many inhabit dense forests, leading to low representation in acoustic surveys. We present a field-collected, echolocation call dataset spanning 35 species and all phyllostomid dietary guilds. We analyze these data under a phylogenetic framework to test the hypothesis that echolocation call design and parameters are specialized for the acoustic demands of different diets, and investigate the contributions of phylogeny and body size to echolocation call diversity. We further link call parameters to dietary ecology by contrasting minimum detectable prey size estimates (MDPSE) across species. We find phylogeny and body size explain a substantial proportion of echolocation call parameter diversity, but most species can be correctly assigned to taxonomic (61%) or functional (77%) dietary guilds based on call parameters. This suggests a degree of acoustic ecological specialization, albeit with interspecific similarities in call structure. Theoretical MDPSE are greatest for omnivores and smallest for insectivores. Omnivores significantly differ from other dietary guilds in MDPSE when phylogeny is not considered, but there are no differences among taxonomic dietary guilds within a phylogenetic context. Similarly, predators of non-mobile/non-evasive prey and predators of mobile/evasive prey differ in estimated MDPSE when phylogeny is not considered. Phyllostomid echolocation call structure may be primarily specialized for overcoming acoustic challenges of foraging in dense habitats, and then secondarily specialized for the detection of food items according to functional dietary guilds. Our results give insight into the possible ecological mechanisms shaping the diversity of sensory systems, and their reciprocal influence on resource use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sharlene E. Santana
- Department of BiologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Burke Museum of Natural History and CultureUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
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11
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Crisp RJ, Brent LJN, Carter GG. Social dominance and cooperation in female vampire bats. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210266. [PMID: 34295524 PMCID: PMC8261227 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
When group-living animals develop individualized social relationships, they often regulate cooperation and conflict through a dominance hierarchy. Female common vampire bats have been an experimental system for studying cooperative relationships, yet surprisingly little is known about female conflict. Here, we recorded the outcomes of 1023 competitive interactions over food provided ad libitum in a captive colony of 33 vampire bats (24 adult females and their young). We found a weakly linear dominance hierarchy using three common metrics (Landau's h' measure of linearity, triangle transitivity and directional consistency). However, patterns of female dominance were less structured than in many other group-living mammals. Female social rank was not clearly predicted by body size, age, nor reproductive status, and competitive interactions were not correlated with kinship, grooming nor food sharing. We therefore found no evidence that females groomed or shared food up a hierarchy or that differences in rank explained asymmetries in grooming or food sharing. A possible explanation for such apparently egalitarian relationships among female vampire bats is the scale of competition. Female vampire bats that are frequent roostmates might not often directly compete for food in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J. Crisp
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
| | - Lauren J. N. Brent
- Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
| | - Gerald G. Carter
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Ancón, Panama
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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12
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Luo WW, Kao MT, Liu JN. Echolocation Precursor Calls of Kerivoula furva Pups May Contain Individual Signatures. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2020. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2020.22.2.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wen Luo
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, No. 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Mei-Ting Kao
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, No. 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
| | - Jian-Nan Liu
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, No. 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi City 60004, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
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13
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Keenan S, Mathevon N, Stevens JM, Nicolè F, Zuberbühler K, Guéry JP, Levréro F. The reliability of individual vocal signature varies across the bonobo's graded repertoire. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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14
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Kohles JE, Carter GG, Page RA, Dechmann DKN. Socially foraging bats discriminate between group members based on search-phase echolocation calls. Behav Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/araa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Animals have evolved diverse strategies to use social information for increasing foraging success and efficiency. Echolocating bats, for example, can eavesdrop on bats foraging nearby because they shift from search-phase calls to feeding buzzes when they detect prey. Feeding buzzes can directly convey information about prey presence, but it is unknown whether search-phase calls also convey social information. Here, we investigated whether search-phase echolocation calls, distinct calls produced by some bat species to scan large open areas for prey, can additionally convey individual identity. We tested this in Molossus molossus, a neotropical insectivorous bat that forages with group members, presumably to find ephemeral insect swarms more efficiently. We caught M. molossus from six different social groups and recorded their search-phase calls during a standardized release procedure, then recaptured and tested 19 marked bats with habituation–dishabituation playback experiments. We showed that they can discriminate between group members based on search-phase calls, and our statistical analysis of call parameters supported the presence of individual signatures in search-phase calls. Individual discrimination is a prerequisite of individual recognition, which may allow M. molossus to maintain contact with group members while foraging without using specialized signals for communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna E Kohles
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg, Radolfzell, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße, Konstanz, Germany
- Gamboa Laboratory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ave. Luis F. Clement, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Gerald G Carter
- Gamboa Laboratory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ave. Luis F. Clement, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, República de Panamá
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Aronoff Laboratory, Columbus, OH , USA
| | - Rachel A Page
- Gamboa Laboratory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ave. Luis F. Clement, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, República de Panamá
| | - Dina K N Dechmann
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Am Obstberg, Radolfzell, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße, Konstanz, Germany
- Gamboa Laboratory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Ave. Luis F. Clement, Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, República de Panamá
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15
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Roeleke M, Blohm T, Hoffmeister U, Marggraf L, Schlägel UE, Teige T, Voigt CC. Landscape structure influences the use of social information in an insectivorous bat. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.07158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Roeleke
- Leibniz Inst. for Zoo and Wildlife Research Alfred‐Kowalke‐Str. 17 DE‐10315 Berlin Germany
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Univ. Potsdam Am Mühlenweg 3 DE‐14467 Potsdam Germany
| | - Torsten Blohm
- Honorary bat conservationist Prenzlau OT Schönwerder Germany
| | - Uwe Hoffmeister
- Natura Büro für Zoologische und Botanische Fachgutachten Schulzendorf Germany
| | - Lara Marggraf
- Leibniz Inst. for Zoo and Wildlife Research Alfred‐Kowalke‐Str. 17 DE‐10315 Berlin Germany
| | - Ulrike E. Schlägel
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Univ. Potsdam Am Mühlenweg 3 DE‐14467 Potsdam Germany
| | - Tobias Teige
- Büro für Faunistisch‐Ökologische Fachgutachten Berlin Germany
| | - Christian C. Voigt
- Leibniz Inst. for Zoo and Wildlife Research Alfred‐Kowalke‐Str. 17 DE‐10315 Berlin Germany
- Inst. of Biology, Freie Univ. Berlin Berlin Germany
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16
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Shrew twittering call rate is high in novel environments—a lab-study. MAMMAL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-020-00488-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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17
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Abstract
Abstract
Bats play an important role by providing ecosystem services including pollination, seed dispersal, forest regeneration and insect pest control and also serve as bio-indicators. In the present study, we present an acoustic guide to the calls of nine species of bats from Gujarat belonging to families Rhinopomatidae (Rhinopoma hardwickii, Rhinopoma microphyllum), Emballonuridae (Taphozous melanopogon, Taphozous longimanus and Taphozous nudiventris), Rhinolophidaea (Rhinolophus lepidus), Hipposideridae (Hipposideros galeritus) and Vespertilionidae (Scotophilus heathii, Pipistrellus ceylonicus). Discriminant function analysis was used to classify the bat calls to the species level using leave-one-out cross validation. Analysis was carried out separately for constant frequency (CF) calls and frequency-modulated (FM) calls. Bats echolocating with CF calls were classified with 100% success, while in the case of FM calls, the calls were classified with 66.7% accuracy. In species-rich communities, care should be taken while using echolocation calls to identify bats producing FM calls. More such call libraries of bats from other parts of India are needed for non-invasive documentation of chiropteran fauna in different biogeographic zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tariq Ahmed Shah
- Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology, University College of Science, Osmania University , Hyderabad, Telangana 500007 , India
| | - Chelmala Srinivasulu
- Natural History Museum, Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab, Department of Zoology , University College of Science, Osmania University , Hyderabad, Telangana 500007 , India
- Systematics, Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO) , No. 12, Thiruvannamalai Nagar, Saravanampatti-Kalapatti Road, Saravanampatti , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641035 , India
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18
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Schmidbauer P, Denzinger A. Social calls of Myotis nattereri during swarming: Call structure mirrors the different behavioral context. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221792. [PMID: 31490957 PMCID: PMC6730923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Swarming is a characteristic behavior of bats that occurs in different social contexts. We studied the swarming behavior of Myotis nattereri at a maternity colony and at an autumn swarming site in South-West Germany by using synchronized sound and video recordings. Swarming was always associated with social vocalizations consisting of four frequently occurring call types. Call type A was a short call with a broadband steep-shallow-steep downward frequency modulation. Call type B consisted of two elements beginning with a broadband upward hooked element followed by a steep frequency modulated element. Call type C showed a characteristic rapid downward-upward-downward frequency modulation. Call type D was a long sinusoidal trill-like call with high variability in signal structure. All call types were recorded at the maternity colony, as well as at the autumn swarming site, but the incidence of each call type differed distinctly between the study sites. At the maternity roost, type A calls were most commonly produced. We found evidence for an individual signature in this call type and suggest that this social call has the function of a contact call in Natterer’s bats. At the autumn swarming site, type D calls were the most common social calls; in contrast, this call type was recorded only twice at the maternity roost. The occurrence of trills mainly at the autumn swarming site and their high variability suggests that trills function as male advertisement calls in M. nattereri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schmidbauer
- Animal Physiology, Institute for Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Annette Denzinger
- Animal Physiology, Institute for Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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19
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Guo D, Luo B, Zhang K, Liu M, Metzner W, Liu Y, Feng J. Social vocalizations of big-footed myotis (Myotis macrodactylus) during foraging. Integr Zool 2019; 14:446-459. [PMID: 30585415 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Acoustic signals play a crucial role in transmitting information and maintaining social stability in gregarious animals, especially in echolocating bats, which rely primarily on biological sonar for navigating in the dark. In the context of foraging without relying on tactile, visual or olfactory cues, acoustic signals convey information not only on food but also on ownership and defense of resources. However, studies on such information remain fragmentary. In the present study, we aim to document the social vocal repertoire of Myotis macrodactylus at natural foraging sites. Multiple acoustic analyses and spectrographic classification revealed a rich foraging vocal repertoire comprising 6 simple syllables and 2 composites. Discriminant function analyses associated with a subset-validation procedure provided an optimal method to spectrographically classify all recorded sounds into different syllable types. Multidimensional scaling of median values of multiple parameters further confirmed notable differences among these syllables in a 3-D space. In addition, Euclidean distance analysis showed that there were some spectral similarities between specific social vocal syllables and feeding buzzes, which implied a potential jamming role. Altogether, the data indicate that bats at foraging sites under natural conditions used variant social vocalizations with different functions in addition to echolocation calls, providing supporting evidence for further work on the function and vocal mechanisms of acoustic communication in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongge Guo
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Bo Luo
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation of Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
| | - Kangkang Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Muxun Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Walter Metzner
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
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20
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21
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Lewanzik D, Sundaramurthy AK, Goerlitz HR. Insectivorous bats integrate social information about species identity, conspecific activity and prey abundance to estimate cost-benefit ratio of interactions. J Anim Ecol 2019; 88:1462-1473. [PMID: 30945281 PMCID: PMC6849779 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Animals can use inadvertent social information to improve fitness‐relevant decisions, for instance about where to forage or with whom to interact. Since bats emit high‐amplitude species‐specific echolocation calls when flying, they provide a constant flow of inadvertent social information to others who can decode that acoustic information. Of particular interest is the rate of feeding buzzes—characteristic call sequences preceding any prey capture—which correlates with insect abundance. Previous studies investigating eavesdropping in bats yielded very different and in part contradictory results likely because they commonly focused on single species only, differed substantially in playback buzz rate and did usually not account for (baseline) conspecific activity. Our goal was to overcome these limitations and systematically test which inadvertent social information bats integrate when eavesdropping on others and how this integration affects space use and both intra‐ and interspecific interactions, respectively. We used a community‐wide approach and investigated the effects of a broad range of playback feeding buzz rates and conspecific activity on eavesdropping responses in 24 bat species combinations in the wild. For the first time, we reveal that finely graded and density‐dependent eavesdropping responses are not limited to particular foraging styles or call types, but instead are ubiquitous among insectivorous bats. All bats integrated social information about calling species identity, prey abundance and conspecific activity to estimate the cost–benefit ratio of prospective interactions, yet in a species‐specific manner. The effect of buzz rate was multifaceted, as bats responded differently to different buzz rates, and responses were additionally modulated by heterospecific recognition. Conspecific activity, in contrast, had a negative effect on the eavesdropping responses of all bats. These findings can explain the inconsistent results of previous studies and advance our understanding of the complex nature of conspecific and heterospecific interactions within bat communities. A comprehensive understanding of how bats incorporate social information into their decision‐making will help researchers to explain species distribution patterns and eventually to unravel mechanisms of species coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lewanzik
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Arun K Sundaramurthy
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, München, Germany
| | - Holger R Goerlitz
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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22
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Bohn K, Gillam E. In-flight social calls: a primer for biologists and managers studying echolocation. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent technological advances have permitted collection of immense data sets through automated recordings that are primarily aimed at capturing bat echolocation. Analyses of echolocation calls are used to identify species, relative abundance, and some aspects of behaviour, such as foraging or commuting. Here we propose that social calls recorded in flight are also valuable tools for understanding bat ecology and behaviour. First, we examine how and why the acoustic structure of social calls differ from echolocation. Differences in form make social calls often, but not always, easy to identify. We then use a case study on in-flight song in Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis (I. Geoffroy, 1824)) to show that what may appear as echolocation may instead be predominantly used for social communication. Next, we review three basic functions of in-flight social calls, including examples of each, and develop a framework for testing these alternative functions using automated recordings. In a second case study, we use automated recordings of the endangered Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus (G.M. Allen, 1932)) to illustrate how behavioural information can be gleaned by examining patterns of social call production. Finally, we discuss why and how social calls provide novel information that can be crucial for conservation and management efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.M. Bohn
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA
| | - E.H. Gillam
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 218 Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
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23
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Roeleke M, Johannsen L, Voigt CC. How Bats Escape the Competitive Exclusion Principle—Seasonal Shift From Intraspecific to Interspecific Competition Drives Space Use in a Bat Ensemble. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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24
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Raw RNV, Bastian A, Jacobs DS. It's not all about the Soprano: Rhinolophid bats use multiple acoustic components in echolocation pulses to discriminate between conspecifics and heterospecifics. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199703. [PMID: 30020963 PMCID: PMC6051568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic communication plays a pivotal role in conspecific recognition in numerous animal taxa. Vocalizations must therefore have discrete acoustic signatures to facilitate intra-specific communication and to avoid misidentification. Here we investigate the potential role of echolocation in communication in horseshoe bats. Although it has been demonstrated that echolocation can be used to discriminate among con- and hetero-specifics, the specific acoustic cues used in discrimination are still relatively unknown. Furthermore, the Acoustic Communication Hypothesis proposes that in multispecies assemblages, in which echolocation frequencies are likely to overlap, bats partition acoustic space along several dimensions so that each species occupies a discrete communication domain. Thus, multiple echolocation variables may be used in discrimination. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of various echolocation variables to function as discriminatory cues in echolocation-based species discrimination. Using habituation-dishabituation playback experiments, we firstly tested the ability of Rhinolophus clivosus to discriminate between echolocation pulses of heterospecifics with either discrete or overlapping frequencies. Secondly, to determine whether R. clivosus could use echolocation variables other than frequency, we investigated its ability to discriminate among echolocation pulses differing in only one manipulated parameter. These test variables were identified by their contribution to the dissimilarity among pulses. Our results suggest that R. clivosus could discriminate readily between species using echolocation pulses with discrete frequencies. When frequencies overlapped, the ability of bats to discriminate was dependant on additional acoustic variables that defined the acoustic space occupied by the test signal. These additional acoustic variables included, but may not be restricted to, sweep rate of the FM and duty cycle. Thus, when echolocation pulses share a similar acoustic domain, bats use several cues to reliably discriminate among heterospecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N. V. Raw
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna Bastian
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - David S. Jacobs
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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25
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Chaverri G, Ancillotto L, Russo D. Social communication in bats. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1938-1954. [PMID: 29766650 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bats represent one of the most diverse mammalian orders, not only in terms of species numbers, but also in their ecology and life histories. Many species are known to use ephemeral and/or unpredictable resources that require substantial investment to find and defend, and also engage in social interactions, thus requiring significant levels of social coordination. To accomplish these tasks, bats must be able to communicate; there is now substantial evidence that demonstrates the complexity of bat communication and the varied ways in which bats solve some of the problems associated with their unique life histories. However, while the study of communication in bats is rapidly growing, it still lags behind other taxa. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of communication in bats, from the reasons why they communicate to the diversity and application of different signal modalities. The most widespread form of communication is the transmission of a signaller's characteristics, such as species identity, sex, individual identity, group membership, social status and body condition, and because many species of bats can rely little on vision due to their nocturnal lifestyles, it is assumed that sound and olfaction are particularly important signalling modes. For example, research suggests that secretions from specialized glands, often in combination with urine and saliva, are responsible for species recognition in several species. These olfactory signals may also convey information about sex and colony membership. Olfaction may be used in combination with sound, particularly in species that emit constant frequency (CF) echolocation calls, to recognize conspecifics from heterospecifics, yet their simple structure and high frequency do not allow much information of individual identity to be conveyed over long distances. By contrast, social calls may encode a larger number of cues of individual identity, and their lower frequencies increase their range of detection. Social calls are also known to deter predators, repel competitors from foraging patches, attract group mates to roost sites, coordinate foraging activities, and are used during courtship. In addition to sound, visual displays such as wing flapping or hovering may be used during courtship, and swarming around roost sites may serve as a visual cue of roost location. However, visual communication in bats still remains a poorly studied signal modality. Finally, the most common form of tactile communication known in bats is social grooming, which may be used to signal reproductive condition, but also to facilitate and strengthen cooperative interactions. Overall, this review demonstrates the rapid advances made in the study of bat social communication during recent years, and also identifies topics that require further study, particularly those that may allow us to understand adaptation to rapidly changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloriana Chaverri
- Recinto de Golfito, Universidad de Costa Rica, Golfito, 60701, Costa Rica
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, Portici NA 80055, Italy
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, Portici NA 80055, Italy.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
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26
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Russo D, Ancillotto L, Jones G. Bats are still not birds in the digital era: echolocation call variation and why it matters for bat species identification. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2017-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The recording and analysis of echolocation calls are fundamental methods used to study bat distribution, ecology, and behavior. However, the goal of identifying bats in flight from their echolocation calls is not always possible. Unlike bird songs, bat calls show large variation that often makes identification challenging. The problem has not been fully overcome by modern digital-based hardware and software for bat call recording and analysis. Besides providing fundamental insights into bat physiology, ecology, and behavior, a better understanding of call variation is therefore crucial to best recognize limits and perspectives of call classification. We provide a comprehensive overview of sources of interspecific and intraspecific echolocation call variations, illustrating its adaptive significance and highlighting gaps in knowledge. We remark that further research is needed to better comprehend call variation and control for it more effectively in sound analysis. Despite the state-of-art technology in this field, combining acoustic surveys with capture and roost search, as well as limiting identification to species with distinctive calls, still represent the safest way of conducting bat surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Leonardo Ancillotto
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Gareth Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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27
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Moyaho A, Flores Urbina A, Monjaraz Guzmán E, Walusinski O. Yawning: a cue and a signal. Heliyon 2017; 3:e00437. [PMID: 29264406 PMCID: PMC5727380 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Yawning behaviour has been associated with a variety of physiological and social events and a number of corresponding functions have been attributed to it. Non-directed (self-directed behaviour) and directed yawning (display behaviour) might nonetheless encompass all expressions of yawning, although it is difficult to differentiate one type from the other in a social context. Here we analysed more fully the data from a study in which four combinations of sensory cues were presented to pairs of either cage mate or stranger rats. The aim of the re-analysis was to demonstrate that non-directed and directed yawning might be identified by their distinctive functions. All pairs of rats used olfactory cues to recognise each other as stranger or cage mate companions, but only stranger rats used auditory cues to detect and respond to each other’s yawning. Increasing defecation rates (i.e. an index of emotional reactivity) inhibited yawning in cage mate rats such that yawning frequency reflected each rat’s physiological state. These results suggest that non-directed yawning functions as a cue in cage mate rats and directed yawning as a signal in stranger rats. We hypothesize that cue yawning might be a regulatory act that animals perform to adjust muscle tone for a coordinated change of state. Signal yawning might indicate the physiological capacity of rats in male-male conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Moyaho
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Avenida 14 Sur 6301, Colonia San Manuel, Puebla Pue., 72570, México
| | - A Flores Urbina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Avenida 14 Sur 6301, Colonia San Manuel, Puebla Pue., 72570, México
| | - E Monjaraz Guzmán
- Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Avenida 14 Sur 6301, Colonia San Manuel, Puebla Pue., 72570, México
| | - O Walusinski
- Family Physician, Private Practice, Brou 28160, France
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Hügel T, van Meir V, Muñoz-Meneses A, Clarin BM, Siemers BM, Goerlitz HR. Does similarity in call structure or foraging ecology explain interspecific information transfer in wild Myotis bats? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017; 71:168. [PMID: 29200602 PMCID: PMC5661007 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2398-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Animals can gain important information by attending to the signals and cues of other animals in their environment, with acoustic information playing a major role in many taxa. Echolocation call sequences of bats contain information about the identity and behaviour of the sender which is perceptible to close-by receivers. Increasing evidence supports the communicative function of echolocation within species, yet data about its role for interspecific information transfer is scarce. Here, we asked which information bats extract from heterospecific echolocation calls during foraging. In three linked playback experiments, we tested in the flight room and field if foraging Myotis bats approached the foraging call sequences of conspecifics and four heterospecifics that were similar in acoustic call structure only (acoustic similarity hypothesis), in foraging ecology only (foraging similarity hypothesis), both, or none. Compared to the natural prey capture rate of 1.3 buzzes per minute of bat activity, our playbacks of foraging sequences with 23-40 buzzes/min simulated foraging patches with significantly higher profitability. In the flight room, M. capaccinii only approached call sequences of conspecifics and of the heterospecific M. daubentonii with similar acoustics and foraging ecology. In the field, M. capaccinii and M. daubentonii only showed a weak positive response to those two species. Our results confirm information transfer across species boundaries and highlight the importance of context on the studied behaviour, but cannot resolve whether information transfer in trawling Myotis is based on acoustic similarity only or on a combination of similarity in acoustics and foraging ecology. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Animals transfer information, both voluntarily and inadvertently, and within and across species boundaries. In echolocating bats, acoustic call structure and foraging ecology are linked, making echolocation calls a rich source of information about species identity, ecology and activity of the sender, which receivers might exploit to find profitable foraging grounds. We tested in three lab and field experiments if information transfer occurs between bat species and if bats obtain information about ecology from echolocation calls. Myotis capaccinii/daubentonii bats approached call playbacks, but only those from con- and heterospecifics with similar call structure and foraging ecology, confirming interspecific information transfer. Reactions differed between lab and field, emphasising situation-dependent differences in animal behaviour, the importance of field research, and the need for further studies on the underlying mechanism of information transfer and the relative contributions of acoustic and ecological similarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Hügel
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 11, Seewiesen, 82319 Germany
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Vincent van Meir
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 11, Seewiesen, 82319 Germany
| | - Amanda Muñoz-Meneses
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 11, Seewiesen, 82319 Germany
- Graduate School for Evolution, Ecology and Systematics, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - B.-Markus Clarin
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Björn M. Siemers
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Holger R. Goerlitz
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Acoustic and Functional Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 11, Seewiesen, 82319 Germany
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29
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Perkins ML, Frank HK, Pauly JM, Hadly EA. Frequency shifting reduces but does not eliminate acoustic interference between echolocating bats: A theoretical analysis. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 142:2133. [PMID: 29092549 DOI: 10.1121/1.5006928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Bats have been observed to shift the frequency of their echolocation calls in the presence of other echolocating bats, ostensibly as a way to reduce acoustic interference. Few studies, however, have examined the theoretical efficacy of such jamming avoidance responses. The present study uses the wideband ambiguity function to analyze the effects of acoustic interference from conspecifics and congeneric heterospecifics on the target acquisition ability of Myotis californicus and Myotis yumanensis, specifically whether unilateral or bilateral frequency shifts reduce the effects of such interference. Model results suggest that in conspecific interactions, M. yumanensis recovers its target acquisition ability more completely and with less absolute frequency shift than does M. californicus, but that alternative methods of jamming avoidance may be easier to implement. The optimal strategy for reducing heterospecific interference is for M. californicus to downshift its call and M. yumanensis to upshift its call, which exaggerates a preexisting difference in mean frequency between the calls of the two species. Further empirical research would elucidate whether these species do in practice actively employ frequency shifting or other means for jamming avoidance, as well as illuminate the role of acoustic interference in niche partitioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda L Perkins
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Hannah K Frank
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - John M Pauly
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Hadly
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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30
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Ladich F, Winkler H. Acoustic communication in terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:2306-2317. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.132944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Sound propagates much faster and over larger distances in water than in air, mainly because of differences in the density of these media. This raises the question of whether terrestrial (land mammals, birds) and (semi-)aquatic animals (frogs, fishes, cetaceans) differ fundamentally in the way they communicate acoustically. Terrestrial vertebrates primarily produce sounds by vibrating vocal tissue (folds) directly in an airflow. This mechanism has been modified in frogs and cetaceans, whereas fishes generate sounds in quite different ways mainly by utilizing the swimbladder or pectoral fins. On land, vertebrates pick up sounds with light tympana, whereas other mechanisms have had to evolve underwater. Furthermore, fishes differ from all other vertebrates by not having an inner ear end organ devoted exclusively to hearing. Comparing acoustic communication within and between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates reveals that there is no ‘aquatic way’ of sound communication, as compared with a more uniform terrestrial one. Birds and mammals display rich acoustic communication behaviour, which reflects their highly developed cognitive and social capabilities. In contrast, acoustic signaling seems to be the exception in fishes, and is obviously limited to short distances and to substrate-breeding species, whereas all cetaceans communicate acoustically and, because of their predominantly pelagic lifestyle, exploit the benefits of sound propagation in a dense, obstacle-free medium that provides fast and almost lossless signal transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Ladich
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria
| | - Hans Winkler
- Konrad Lorenz-Institute of Comparative Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna 1160, Austria
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Lin A, Jiang T, Feng J, Kanwal JS. Acoustically diverse vocalization repertoire in the Himalayan leaf-nosed bat, a widely distributed Hipposideros species. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 140:3765. [PMID: 27908088 DOI: 10.1121/1.4966286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Insectivorous bats vocalize to both communicate with conspecifics and to echolocate. The communicative vocalizations or "calls" of bats either consist of or are constructed from discrete acoustic units, termed "syllables." This study examined syllable diversity in the Himalayan leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger, a species that is widely distributed across Southeast Asia. This social species' vocalizations were hypothesized to consist of a wide variety of syllables facilitating its social interactions. To test this hypothesis, multiple acoustic parameters were measured from recorded vocalizations to map the acoustic boundaries of syllables. Spectrographic signatures were used to classify all recorded sounds into 35 distinct syllable types-18 as simple syllables and 17 as composites. K-means clustering independently provided an optimal fit of simple syllables into 18 clusters with a good correspondence to 15 spectrographically assigned syllable types. Discriminant analysis further confirmed the spectrographic classification of constant frequency syllables (0% misclassification) and revealed a low (<15%) misclassification of spectrograms for all examples of frequency modulation syllables. Multidimensional scaling of mean values of multiple parameters provided a spectrographically constrained relational mapping of syllable types within two dimensions. These data suggest that H. armiger has a complex, well organized syllabic repertoire despite simple syllables being rarely emitted in isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 2555 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jagmeet S Kanwal
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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Behavioural response of the greater horseshoe bat to geographical variation in echolocation calls. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2182-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Voigt-Heucke SL, Zimmer S, Kipper S. Does Interspecific Eavesdropping Promote Aerial Aggregations in European Pipistrelle Bats During Autumn? Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silke L. Voigt-Heucke
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Stefanie Zimmer
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Silke Kipper
- Animal Behaviour Group; Institute of Biology; Freie Universität Berlin; Berlin Germany
- Chair of Zoology; Technische Universität München; Freising Germany
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Jiang T, Wu H, Feng J. Patterns and causes of geographic variation in bat echolocation pulses. Integr Zool 2016; 10:241-56. [PMID: 25664901 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Evolutionary biologists have a long-standing interest in how acoustic signals in animals vary geographically, because divergent ecology and sensory perception play an important role in speciation. Geographic comparisons are valuable in determining the factors that influence divergence of acoustic signals. Bats are social mammals and they depend mainly on echolocation pulses to locate prey, to navigate and to communicate. Mounting evidence shows that geographic variation of bat echolocation pulses is common, with a mean 5-10 kHz differences in peak frequency, and a high level of individual variation may be nested in this geographical variation. However, understanding the geographic variation of echolocation pulses in bats is very difficult, because of differences in sample and statistical analysis techniques as well as the variety of factors shaping the vocal geographic evolution. Geographic differences in echolocation pulses of bats generally lack latitudinal, longitudinal and elevational patterns, and little is known about vocal dialects. Evidence is accumulating to support the fact that geographic variation in echolocation pulses of bats may be caused by genetic drift, cultural drift, ecological selection, sexual selection and social selection. Future studies could relate geographic differences in echolocation pulses to social adaptation, vocal learning strategies and patterns of dispersal. In addition, new statistical techniques and acoustic playback experiments may help to illustrate the causes and consequences of the geographic evolution of echolocation pulse in bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Hui Wu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
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Yahya NM, Tokhi MO, Kasdirin HA. A new bats echolocation-based algorithm for single objective optimisation. EVOLUTIONARY INTELLIGENCE 2016; 9:1-20. [PMID: 27340501 PMCID: PMC4875172 DOI: 10.1007/s12065-016-0134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Bats sonar algorithm (BSA) as a swarm intelligence approach utilises the concept of echolocation of bats to find prey. However, the algorithm is unable to achieve good precision and fast convergence rate to the optimum solution. With this in mind, an adaptive bats sonar algorithm is introduced with new paradigms of real bats echolocation behaviour. The performance of the algorithm is validated through rigorous tests with several single objective optimisation benchmark test functions. The obtained results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the BSA in terms of accuracy and convergence speed and can be efficiently employed to solve engineering problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafrizuan Mat Yahya
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - M Osman Tokhi
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hyreil Anuar Kasdirin
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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38
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Smarsh GC, Smotherman M. Intra- and Interspecific Variability of Echolocation Pulse Acoustics in the African Megadermatid Bats. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2015. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2015.17.2.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lin HJ, Kanwal JS, Jiang TL, Liu Y, Feng J. Social and vocal behavior in adult greater tube-nosed bats (Murina leucogaster). ZOOLOGY 2015; 118:192-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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40
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Fu ZY, Dai XY, Xu N, Shi Q, Li GJ, Li B, Li J, Li J, Tang J, Jen PHS, Chen QC. Sexual dimorphism in echolocation pulse parameters of the CF-FM bat, Hipposideros pratti. Zool Stud 2015; 54:e44. [PMID: 31966131 DOI: 10.1186/s40555-015-0123-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previousstudies of sexual dimorphism in the echolocation pulses of the constant frequency-frequency modulating (CF-FM) bat have been mainly concentrated on the difference in the frequency of the CF component of the predominant second harmonic while neglected other pulse parameters. However, recent studies have shown that other pulse parameters of the predominant second harmonic are also biologically significant to the bat hunting. To complement and advance these studies, we have examined sexual dimorphism of multiple parameters (e.g., duration, frequency, bandwidth of the FM component, and repetition rate of emitted pulses) of the echolocation pulses of the CF-FM bat, Hipposideros pratti. RESULTS Our studies of the predominant second harmonic show that on average the male bat has higher frequency of the CF component, wider FM bandwidth, and higher pulse repetition rate while the female bat has longer duration of the CF and FM components. CONCLUSIONS Theseobservations suggest that bats may potentially use this sexual dimorphism in echolocation pulse parameters for social communication and species and sex identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ying Fu
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Xing-Yue Dai
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Na Xu
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Qing Shi
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Gao-Jing Li
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Bin Li
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Jie Li
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Jia Tang
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
| | - Philip Hung-Sun Jen
- College of Special Education, Binzhou Medical College, Yantai, Shandong, China.,Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, China.,Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Qi-Cai Chen
- School of Life Sciences and Hubei Key Lab of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079Hubei, China
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41
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Bastian A, Jacobs DS. Listening carefully: increased perceptual acuity for species discrimination in multispecies signalling assemblages. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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43
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Fernandez AA, Fasel N, Knörnschild M, Richner H. When bats are boxing: aggressive behaviour and communication in male Seba's short-tailed fruit bat. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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44
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Grilliot ME, Burnett SC, Mendonça MT. Sex and Season Differences in the Echolocation Pulses of Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and Their Relation to Mating Activity. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2014. [DOI: 10.3161/150811014x687332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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45
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Gagliano M. In a green frame of mind: perspectives on the behavioural ecology and cognitive nature of plants. AOB PLANTS 2014; 7:plu075. [PMID: 25416727 PMCID: PMC4287690 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plu075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
It is increasingly recognized that plants are highly sensitive organisms that perceive, assess, learn, remember, resolve problems, make decisions and communicate with each other by actively acquiring information from their environment. However, the fact that many of the sophisticated behaviours plants exhibit reveal cognitive competences, which are generally attributed to humans and some non-human animals, has remained unappreciated. Here, I will outline the theoretical barriers that have precluded the opportunity to experimentally test such behavioural/cognitive phenomena in plants. I will then suggest concrete alternative approaches to cognition by highlighting how (i) the environment offers a multitude of opportunities for decision-making and action and makes behaviours possible, rather than causing them; (ii) perception in itself is action in the form of a continuous flow of information; (iii) all living organisms viewed within this context become agents endowed with autonomy rather than objects in a mechanistically conceived world. These viewpoints, combined with recent evidence, may contribute to move the entire field towards an integrated study of cognitive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gagliano
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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46
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Smell facilitates auditory contagious yawning in stranger rats. Anim Cogn 2014; 18:279-90. [PMID: 25156806 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-014-0798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Most vertebrates yawn in situations ranging from relaxation to tension, but only humans and other primate species that show mental state attribution skills have been convincingly shown to display yawn contagion. Whether complex forms of empathy are necessary for yawn contagion to occur is still unclear. As empathy is a phylogenetically continuous trait, simple forms of empathy, such as emotional contagion, might be sufficient for non-primate species to show contagious yawning. In this study, we exposed pairs of male rats, which were selected for high yawning, with each other through a perforated wall and found that olfactory cues stimulated yawning, whereas visual cues inhibited it. Unexpectedly, cage-mate rats failed to show yawn contagion, although they did show correlated emotional reactivity. In contrast, stranger rats showed auditory contagious yawning and greater rates of smell-facilitated auditory contagious yawning, although they did not show correlated emotional reactivity. Strikingly, they did not show contagious yawning to rats from a low-yawning strain. These findings indicate that contagious yawning may be a widespread trait amongst vertebrates and that mechanisms other than empathy may be involved. We suggest that a communicatory function of yawning may be the mechanism responsible for yawn contagion in rats, as contagiousness was strain-specific and increased with olfactory cues, which are involved in mutual recognition.
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Fornůsková A, Petit EJ, Bartonička T, Kaňuch P, Butet A, Řehák Z, Bryja J. Strong matrilineal structure in common pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is associated with variability in echolocation calls. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alena Fornůsková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology; AS CR; Květná 8 603 65 Brno Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO; Université Rennes 1; Rennes France
| | - Eric J. Petit
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO; Université Rennes 1; Rennes France
- Ecology and Ecosystem Health; UMR 985 Agrocampus Ouest-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique; F-35042 Rennes France
| | - Tomáš Bartonička
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology SAS; Zvolen Slovakia
| | - Alain Butet
- UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO; Université Rennes 1; Rennes France
| | - Zdeněk Řehák
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Josef Bryja
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology; AS CR; Květná 8 603 65 Brno Czech Republic
- Department of Botany and Zoology; Faculty of Science; Masaryk University; Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic
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Ancillotto L, Russo D. Selective aggressiveness in European free-tailed bats (Tadarida teniotis): influence of familiarity, age and sex. Naturwissenschaften 2014; 101:221-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-014-1146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Li Y, Wang J, Metzner W, Luo B, Jiang T, Yang S, Shi L, Huang X, Yue X, Feng J. Behavioral responses to echolocation calls from sympatric heterospecific bats: implications for interspecific competition. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1680-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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50
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Driving factors for the evolution of species-specific echolocation call design in new world free-tailed bats (molossidae). PLoS One 2014; 9:e85279. [PMID: 24454833 PMCID: PMC3891751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Phylogeny, ecology, and sensorial constraints are thought to be the most important factors influencing echolocation call design in bats. The Molossidae is a diverse bat family with a majority of species restricted to tropical and subtropical regions. Most molossids are specialized to forage for insects in open space, and thus share similar navigational challenges. We use an unprecedented dataset on the echolocation calls of 8 genera and 18 species of New World molossids to explore how habitat, phylogenetic relatedness, body mass, and prey perception contribute to echolocation call design. Our results confirm that, with the exception of the genus Molossops, echolocation calls of these bats show a typical design for open space foraging. Two lines of evidence point to echolocation call structure of molossids reflecting phylogenetic relatedness. First, such structure is significantly more similar within than among genera. Second, except for allometric scaling, such structure is nearly the same in congeneric species. Despite contrasting body masses, 12 of 18 species call within a relatively narrow frequency range of 20 to 35 kHz, a finding that we explain by using a modeling approach whose results suggest this frequency range to be an adaptation optimizing prey perception in open space. To conclude, we argue that the high variability in echolocation call design of molossids is an advanced evolutionary trait allowing the flexible adjustment of echolocation systems to various sensorial challenges, while conserving sender identity for social communication. Unraveling evolutionary drivers for echolocation call design in bats has so far been hampered by the lack of adequate model organisms sharing a phylogenetic origin and facing similar sensorial challenges. We thus believe that knowledge of the echolocation call diversity of New World molossid bats may prove to be landmark to understand the evolution and functionality of species-specific signal design in bats.
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