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Griffiths GC, Pasch B. Variation in responses to conspecific and heterospecific advertisement vocalizations in sympatric grasshopper mice (Onychomys). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 156:524-533. [PMID: 39024385 DOI: 10.1121/10.0026540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Advertisement vocalizations that function in mate acquisition and resource defense within species may also mediate behavioral interactions among species. While olfactory signals play an important role in mate choice and territoriality in rodents, less is known about the function of acoustic signals in influencing interspecific interactions. In this study, we used playback experiments in the laboratory to assess the function of long-distance vocalizations within and among three sympatric species of grasshopper mice. We found that, within each species, individuals of both sexes varied widely in spontaneous vocal behavior and response to playback. The largest species (Onychomys leucogaster) was most responsive to conspecifics, but smaller O. arenicola and O. torridus exhibited no clear pattern in their vocal behavior and were even responsive to the white noise controls. Our results indicate that grasshopper mice are broadly responsive to a range of sounds that resemble calls and that long-distance vocalizations function primarily as signals that facilitate localization for subsequent close-distance assessment by both sexes in various social contexts. Variation in vocal responses among species may depend on competitive dominance, degree of interaction, acoustic similarity, or behavioral changes resulting from captivity. Replicating playback experiments in the field will help validate whether the observed variation in the laboratory reflects ecologically relevant patterns in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace C Griffiths
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, USA
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA
| | - Bret Pasch
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, USA
- School of Natural Resources and the Environment, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA
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2
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Kanwal JS, Sanghera B, Dabbi R, Glasgow E. Pose analysis in free-swimming adult zebrafish, Danio rerio : "fishy" origins of movement design. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.31.573780. [PMID: 38260397 PMCID: PMC10802288 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.31.573780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Movement requires maneuvers that generate thrust to either make turns or move the body forward in physical space. The computational space for perpetually controlling the relative position of every point on the body surface can be vast. We hypothesize the evolution of efficient design for movement that minimizes active (neural) control by leveraging the passive (reactive) forces between the body and the surrounding medium at play. To test our hypothesis, we investigate the presence of stereotypical postures during free-swimming in adult zebrafish, Danio rerio . We perform markerless tracking using DeepLabCut, a deep learning pose estimation toolkit, to track geometric relationships between body parts. To identify putative clusters of postural configurations obtained from twelve freely behaving zebrafish, we use unsupervised multivariate time-series analysis (B-SOiD machine learning software). When applied to single individuals, this method reveals a best-fit for 36 to 50 clusters in contrast 86 clusters for data pooled from all 12 animals. The centroids of each cluster obtained over 14,000 sequential frames recorded for a single fish represent an apriori classification into relatively stable "target body postures" and inter-pose "transitional postures" that lead to and away from a target pose. We use multidimensional scaling of mean parameter values for each cluster to map cluster-centroids within two dimensions of postural space. From a post-priori visual analysis, we condense neighboring postural variants into 15 superclusters or core body configurations. We develop a nomenclature specifying the anteroposterior level/s (upper, mid and lower) and degree of bending. Our results suggest that constraining bends to mainly three levels in adult zebrafish preempts the neck, fore- and hindlimb design for maneuverability in land vertebrates.
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3
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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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4
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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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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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6
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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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7
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Hasiniaina AF, Radespiel U, Kessler SE, Rina Evasoa M, Rasoloharijaona S, Randrianambinina B, Zimmermann E, Schmidt S, Scheumann M. Evolutionary significance of the variation in acoustic communication of a cryptic nocturnal primate radiation ( Microcebus spp.). Ecol Evol 2020; 10:3784-3797. [PMID: 32313636 PMCID: PMC7160168 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Acoustic phenotypic variation is of major importance for speciation and the evolution of species diversity. Whereas selective and stochastic forces shaping the acoustic divergence of signaling systems are well studied in insects, frogs, and birds, knowledge on the processes driving acoustic phenotypic evolution in mammals is limited. We quantified the acoustic variation of a call type exchanged during agonistic encounters across eight distinct species of the smallest-bodied nocturnal primate radiation, the Malagasy mouse lemurs. The species live in two different habitats (dry forest vs. humid forest), differ in geographic distance to each other, and belong to four distinct phylogenetic clades within the genus. Genetically defined species were discriminated reliably on the phenotypic level based on their acoustic distinctiveness in a discriminant function analysis. Acoustic variation was explained by genetic distance, whereas differences in morphology, forest type, or geographic distance had no effect. The strong impact of genetics was supported by a correlation between acoustic and genetic distance and the high agreement in branching pattern between the acoustic and molecular phylogenetic trees. In sum, stochastic factors such as genetic drift best explained acoustic diversification in a social communication call of mouse lemurs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Sharon E. Kessler
- Department of PsychologyFaculty of Natural SciencesUniversity of StirlingStirlingScotland
- Department of AnthropologyDurham UniversityDurhamUK
| | - Mamy Rina Evasoa
- Faculty of Science, Technology and EnvironmentUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | | | | | - Elke Zimmermann
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Sabine Schmidt
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Marina Scheumann
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
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8
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A broad filter between call frequency and peripheral auditory sensitivity in northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster). J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2019; 205:481-489. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01338-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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9
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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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10
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Kacsoh BZ, Bozler J, Bosco G. Drosophila species learn dialects through communal living. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007430. [PMID: 30024883 PMCID: PMC6053138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species are able to share information about their environment by communicating through auditory, visual, and olfactory cues. In Drosophila melanogaster, exposure to parasitoid wasps leads to a decline in egg laying, and exposed females communicate this threat to naïve flies, which also depress egg laying. We find that species across the genus Drosophila respond to wasps by egg laying reduction, activate cleaved caspase in oocytes, and communicate the presence of wasps to naïve individuals. Communication within a species and between closely related species is efficient, while more distantly related species exhibit partial communication. Remarkably, partial communication between some species is enhanced after a cohabitation period that requires exchange of visual and olfactory signals. This interspecies “dialect learning” requires neuronal cAMP signaling in the mushroom body, suggesting neuronal plasticity facilitates dialect learning and memory. These observations establish Drosophila as genetic models for interspecies social communication and evolution of dialects. In this study, we find that many different Drosophila species never having been exposed to parasitoid wasps can trigger caspase activation in the ovary and depress egg-laying when placed next to flies that had visual experience with wasps. Interestingly, when teacher flies of one species are placed with a student of a different species, communication exists, to varying degrees, which seems dependent on evolutionary relatedness. Cohabitation of two species that can partially communicate can learn each other’s “dialect”, yielding effective interspecies communication. There are various inputs involved in dialect learning, including the presence of visual and olfactory cues and memory functions, including genes implicated in social learning defects in murine models, such as PTEN. The neuroplasticity of adult Drosophila allows for learning of dialects, but the specific dialect learned is dependent on social interactions exclusive to a communal environmental context, which provides both visual and olfactory inputs. We find flies can communicate with one another about an anticipated danger, which is suggestive of a fly “language.” The presence of a neurologically plastic system, allowing for social learning, can subsequently lead to a dramatic physiological response, requiring active learning and memory formation through integration of multiple inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balint Z. Kacsoh
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Julianna Bozler
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Giovanni Bosco
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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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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12
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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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13
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Jacobs DS, Catto S, Mutumi GL, Finger N, Webala PW. Testing the Sensory Drive Hypothesis: Geographic variation in echolocation frequencies of Geoffroy's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus clivosus). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187769. [PMID: 29186147 PMCID: PMC5706677 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic variation in sensory traits is usually influenced by adaptive processes because these traits are involved in crucial life-history aspects including orientation, communication, lineage recognition and mate choice. Studying this variation can therefore provide insights into lineage diversification. According to the Sensory Drive Hypothesis, lineage diversification may be driven by adaptation of sensory systems to local environments. It predicts that acoustic signals vary in association with local climatic conditions so that atmospheric attenuation is minimized and transmission of the signals maximized. To test this prediction, we investigated the influence of climatic factors (specifically relative humidity and temperature) on geographic variation in the resting frequencies of the echolocation pulses of Geoffroy's horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus clivosus. If the evolution of phenotypic variation in this lineage tracks climate variation, human induced climate change may lead to decreases in detection volumes and a reduction in foraging efficiency. A complex non-linear interaction between relative humidity and temperature affects atmospheric attenuation of sound and principal components composed of these correlated variables were, therefore, used in a linear mixed effects model to assess their contribution to observed variation in resting frequencies. A principal component composed predominantly of mean annual temperature (factor loading of -0.8455) significantly explained a proportion of the variation in resting frequency across sites (P < 0.05). Specifically, at higher relative humidity (around 60%) prevalent across the distribution of R. clivosus, increasing temperature had a strong negative effect on resting frequency. Climatic factors thus strongly influence acoustic signal divergence in this lineage, supporting the prediction of the Sensory Drive Hypothesis. The predicted future increase in temperature due to climate change is likely to decrease the detection volume in echolocating bats and adversely impact their foraging efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Jacobs
- University of Cape Town, Department of Biological Sciences, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sarah Catto
- University of Cape Town, Department of Biological Sciences, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gregory L. Mutumi
- University of Cape Town, Department of Biological Sciences, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nikita Finger
- University of Cape Town, Department of Biological Sciences, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Paul W. Webala
- Maasai Mara University, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Narok, Kenya
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14
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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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15
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16
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Jiang T, Long Z, Ran X, Zhao X, Xu F, Qiu F, Kanwal JS, Feng J. Using sounds for making decisions: greater tube-nosed bats prefer antagonistic calls over non-communicative sounds when feeding. Biol Open 2016; 5:1864-1868. [PMID: 27815241 PMCID: PMC5200914 DOI: 10.1242/bio.021865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats vocalize extensively within different social contexts. The type and extent of information conveyed via their vocalizations and their perceptual significance, however, remains controversial and difficult to assess. Greater tube-nosed bats, Murina leucogaster, emit calls consisting of long rectangular broadband noise burst (rBNBl) syllables during aggression between males. To experimentally test the behavioral impact of these sounds for feeding, we deployed an approach and place-preference paradigm. Two food trays were placed on opposite sides and within different acoustic microenvironments, created by sound playback, within a specially constructed tent. Specifically, we tested whether the presence of rBNBl sounds at a food source effectively deters the approach of male bats in comparison to echolocation sounds and white noise. In each case, contrary to our expectation, males preferred to feed at a location where rBNBl sounds were present. We propose that the species-specific rBNBl provides contextual information, not present within non-communicative sounds, to facilitate approach towards a food source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Long
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Ran
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Xu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuyuan Qiu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
| | - Jagmeet S Kanwal
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China .,Key Laboratory for Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration of National Environmental Protection, Northeast Normal University, Jingyue St 2555, Changchun 130117, People's Republic of China
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17
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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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18
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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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19
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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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20
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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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21
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Guo X, Luo B, Liu Y, Jiang TL, Feng J. Cannot see you but can hear you: vocal identity recognition in microbats. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2015; 36:257-62. [PMID: 26452691 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2015.5.257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Identity recognition is one of the most critical social behaviours in a variety of animal species. Microchiropteran bats present a special use case of acoustic communication in the dark. These bats use echolocation pulses for navigating, foraging, and communicating; however, increasing evidence suggests that echolocation pulses also serve as a means of social communication. Compared with echolocation signals, communication calls in bats have rather complex structures and differ substantially by social context. Bat acoustic signals vary broadly in spectrotemporal space among individuals, sexes, colonies and species. This type of information can be gathered from families of vocalizations based on voice characteristics. In this review we summarize the current studies regarding vocal identity recognition in microbats. We also provide recommendations and directions for further work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiong Guo
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Bo Luo
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Ting-Lei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China.
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22
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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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23
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Fawcett K, Jacobs DS, Surlykke A, Ratcliffe JM. Echolocation in the bat, Rhinolophus capensis: the influence of clutter, conspecifics and prey on call design and intensity. Biol Open 2015; 4:693-701. [PMID: 25987587 PMCID: PMC4467189 DOI: 10.1242/bio.201511908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Echolocating bats are exposed not only to the echoes of their own calls, but often the signals of conspecifics and other bats. For species emitting short, frequency modulated signals e.g. vespertilionoids, adjustments in both the frequency and time domain have been observed in such situations. However, bats using long duration, constant frequency calls may confront special challenges, since these bats should be less able to avoid temporal and frequency overlap. Here we investigated echolocation call design in the highduty cycle bat, Rhinolophus capensis, as bats flew with either a conspecific or heterospecific in a large outdoor flight-room. We compared these recordings to those made of bats flying alone in the same flight-room, and in a smaller flight room, alone, and hunting tethered moths. We found no differences in duty cycle or peak frequency of the calls of R. capensis across conditions. However, in the presence of a conspecific or the vespertilionoid, Miniopterus natalensis, R. capensis produced longer frequency-modulated downward sweeps at the terminus of their calls with lower minimum frequencies than when flying alone. In the presence of the larger high-duty cycle bat, R. clivosus, R. capensis produced shorter calls than when flying alone or with a conspecific. These changes are similar to those of vespertilionoids when flying from open to more cluttered environments. They are not similar to those differences observed in vespertilionoids when flying with other bats. Also unlike vespertilinoids, R. capensis used calls 15 dB less intense in conspecific pairs than when alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh Fawcett
- Sound and Behaviour Group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - David S Jacobs
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, 7701 Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Annemarie Surlykke
- Sound and Behaviour Group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - John M Ratcliffe
- Sound and Behaviour Group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, DK5230 Odense M, Denmark Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, ON M5S 3B2, Canada Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6, Canada
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24
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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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25
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26
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Puechmaille SJ, Borissov IM, Zsebok S, Allegrini B, Hizem M, Kuenzel S, Schuchmann M, Teeling EC, Siemers BM. Female mate choice can drive the evolution of high frequency echolocation in bats: a case study with Rhinolophus mehelyi. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103452. [PMID: 25075972 PMCID: PMC4116191 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals employ an array of signals (i.e. visual, acoustic, olfactory) for communication. Natural selection favours signals, receptors, and signalling behaviour that optimise the received signal relative to background noise. When the signal is used for more than one function, antagonisms amongst the different signalling functions may constrain the optimisation of the signal for any one function. Sexual selection through mate choice can strongly modify the effects of natural selection on signalling systems ultimately causing maladaptive signals to evolve. Echolocating bats represent a fascinating group in which to study the evolution of signalling systems as unlike bird songs or frog calls, echolocation has a dual role in foraging and communication. The function of bat echolocation is to generate echoes that the calling bat uses for orientation and food detection with call characteristics being directly related to the exploitation of particular ecological niches. Therefore, it is commonly assumed that echolocation has been shaped by ecology via natural selection. Here we demonstrate for the first time using a novel combined behavioural, ecological and genetic approach that in a bat species, Rhinolophus mehelyi: (1) echolocation peak frequency is an honest signal of body size; (2) females preferentially select males with high frequency calls during the mating season; (3) high frequency males sire more off-spring, providing evidence that echolocation calls may play a role in female mate choice. Our data refute the sole role of ecology in the evolution of echolocation and highlight the antagonistic interplay between natural and sexual selection in shaping acoustic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien J. Puechmaille
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Tabachka Bat Research Station, Tabachka, Bulgaria
- * E-mail:
| | - Ivailo M. Borissov
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Tabachka Bat Research Station, Tabachka, Bulgaria
| | - Sándor Zsebok
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Tabachka Bat Research Station, Tabachka, Bulgaria
- MTA-ELTE-MTM Ecology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Mohammed Hizem
- Tunis Superior Institute for Biological Applied Sciences, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Sven Kuenzel
- Department Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Maike Schuchmann
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Tabachka Bat Research Station, Tabachka, Bulgaria
| | - Emma C. Teeling
- School of Biology & Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Björn M. Siemers
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
- Tabachka Bat Research Station, Tabachka, Bulgaria
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27
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Sedlock JL, Krüger F, Clare EL. Island bat diets: does it matter more who you are or where you live? Mol Ecol 2014; 23:3684-94. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi L. Sedlock
- Biology Department; Lawrence University; 711 E. Boldt Way Appleton WI 54911 USA
| | - Frauke Krüger
- Institute of Natural Resource Conservation; University of Kiel; Olshausenstr. 75 24118 Kiel Germany
| | - Elizabeth L. Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences; Queen Mary University of London; Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK
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28
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Wyman MT, Locatelli Y, Charlton BD, Reby D. No preference in female sika deer for conspecific over heterospecific male sexual calls in a mate choice context. J Zool (1987) 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. T. Wyman
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research; School of Psychology; University of Sussex; Falmer UK
| | - Y. Locatelli
- Réserve de la Haute Touche; Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle; Obterre France
| | - B. D. Charlton
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research; School of Psychology; University of Sussex; Falmer UK
| | - D. Reby
- Mammal Vocal Communication and Cognition Research; School of Psychology; University of Sussex; Falmer UK
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29
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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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30
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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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Moreno-Gómez FN, Sueur J, Soto-Gamboa M, Penna M. Female frog auditory sensitivity, male calls, and background noise: potential influences on the evolution of a peculiar matched filter. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe N. Moreno-Gómez
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Austral de Chile; Avenida Rector Eduardo Morales Miranda, Edificio Pugín, Casilla(Box) 567 Valdivia Chile
| | - Jérôme Sueur
- Département Systématique et Evolution; Muséum National d'Histoire naturelle; UMR CNRS 7205 OSEB, 45 rue Buffon F-75005 Paris France
| | - Mauricio Soto-Gamboa
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas; Facultad de Ciencias; Universidad Austral de Chile; Avenida Rector Eduardo Morales Miranda, Edificio Pugín, Casilla(Box) 567 Valdivia Chile
| | - Mario Penna
- Programa de Fisiología y Biofísica; Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas; Facultad de Medicina; Universidad de Chile; Casilla 70005, Correo 7 Santiago Chile
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Dorado-Correa AM, Goerlitz HR, Siemers BM. Interspecific acoustic recognition in two European bat communities. Front Physiol 2013; 4:192. [PMID: 23986714 PMCID: PMC3753017 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Echolocating bats emit echolocation calls for spatial orientation and foraging. These calls are often species-specific and are emitted at high intensity and repetition rate. Therefore, these calls could potentially function in intra- and/or inter-specific bat communication. For example, bats in the field approach playbacks of conspecific feeding buzzes, probably because feeding buzzes indicate an available foraging patch. In captivity, some species of bats recognize and distinguish the echolocation calls of different sympatric species. However, it is still unknown if and how acoustic species-recognition mediates interspecific interactions in the field. Here we aim to understand eavesdropping on bat echolocation calls within and across species boundaries in wild bats. We presented playbacks of conspecific and heterospecific search calls and feeding buzzes to four bat species with different foraging ecologies. The bats were generally more attracted by feeding buzzes than search calls and more by the calls of conspecifics than their heterospecifics. Furthermore, bats showed differential reaction to the calls of the heterospecifics. In particular, Myotis capaccinii reacted equally to the feeding buzzes of conspecifics and to ecologically more similar heterospecifics. Our results confirm eavesdropping on feeding buzzes at the intraspecific level in wild bats and provide the first experimental quantification of potential eavesdropping in European bats at the interspecific level. Our data support the hypothesis that bat echolocation calls have a communicative potential that allows interspecific, and potentially intraspecific, eavesdropping in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana M Dorado-Correa
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology Seewiesen, Germany ; Department of Biology II, Munich Graduate Program for Evolution, Ecology and Systematics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
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Dechmann DKN, Wikelski M, van Noordwijk HJ, Voigt CC, Voigt-Heucke SL. Metabolic costs of bat echolocation in a non-foraging context support a role in communication. Front Physiol 2013; 4:66. [PMID: 23576991 PMCID: PMC3616240 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The exploitation of information is a key adaptive behavior of social animals, and many animals produce costly signals to communicate with conspecifics. In contrast, bats produce ultrasound for auto-communication, i.e., they emit ultrasound calls and behave in response to the received echo. However, ultrasound echolocation calls produced by non-flying bats looking for food are energetically costly. Thus, if they are produced in a non-foraging or navigational context this indicates an energetic investment, which must be motivated by something. We quantified the costs of the production of such calls, in stationary, non-foraging lesser bulldog bats (Noctilio albiventris) and found metabolic rates to increase by 0.021 ± 0.001 J/pulse (mean ± standard error). From this, we estimated the metabolic rates of N. albiventris when responding with ultrasound echolocation calls to playbacks of echolocation calls from familiar and unfamiliar conspecific as well as heterospecific bats. Lesser bulldog bats adjusted their energetic investment to the social information contained in the presented playback. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that in addition to orientation and foraging, ultrasound calls in bats may also have function for active communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina K N Dechmann
- Department of Migration and Immuno-Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology Radolfzell, Germany ; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz Konstanz, Germany
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Schmidt AK, Römer H, Riede K. Spectral niche segregation and community organization in a tropical cricket assemblage. Behav Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ars187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Knörnschild M, Jung K, Nagy M, Metz M, Kalko E. Bat echolocation calls facilitate social communication. Proc Biol Sci 2012; 279:4827-35. [PMID: 23034703 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bat echolocation is primarily used for orientation and foraging but also holds great potential for social communication. The communicative function of echolocation calls is still largely unstudied, especially in the wild. Eavesdropping on vocal signatures encoding social information in echolocation calls has not, to our knowledge, been studied in free-living bats so far. We analysed echolocation calls of the polygynous bat Saccopteryx bilineata and found pronounced vocal signatures encoding sex and individual identity. We showed experimentally that free-living males discriminate approaching male and female conspecifics solely based on their echolocation calls. Males always produced aggressive vocalizations when hearing male echolocation calls and courtship vocalizations when hearing female echolocation calls; hence, they responded with complex social vocalizations in the appropriate social context. Our study demonstrates that social information encoded in bat echolocation calls plays a crucial and hitherto underestimated role for eavesdropping conspecifics and thus facilitates social communication in a highly mobile nocturnal mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Knörnschild
- Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
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Schuchmann M, Puechmaille SJ, Siemers BM. Horseshoe Bats Recognise the Sex of Conspecifics from Their Echolocation Calls. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2012. [DOI: 10.3161/150811012x654376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Stoffberg S, Schoeman MC, Matthee CA. Correlated genetic and ecological diversification in a widespread southern African horseshoe bat. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31946. [PMID: 22384108 PMCID: PMC3288067 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The analysis of molecular data within a historical biogeographical framework, coupled with ecological characteristics can provide insight into the processes driving diversification. Here we assess the genetic and ecological diversity within a widespread horseshoe bat Rhinolophus clivosus sensu lato with specific emphasis on the southern African representatives which, although not currently recognized, were previously described as a separate species R. geoffroyi comprising four subspecies. Sequence divergence estimates of the mtDNA control region show that the southern African representatives of R. clivosus s.l. are as distinct from samples further north in Africa than they are from R. ferrumequinum, the sister-species to R. clivosus. Within South Africa, five genetically supported geographic groups exist and these groups are corroborated by echolocation and wing morphology data. The groups loosely correspond to the distributions of the previously defined subspecies and Maxent modelling shows a strong correlation between the detected groups and ecoregions. Based on molecular clock calibrations, it is evident that climatic cycling and related vegetation changes during the Quaternary may have facilitated diversification both genetically and ecologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Stoffberg
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa.
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Mora EC, Macías S. Short Cf-Fm and Fm-short CF Calls in the Echolocation Behavior ofPteronotus macleayii(Chiroptera: Mormoopidae). ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2011. [DOI: 10.3161/150811011x624947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ratcliffe JM, Jakobsen L, Kalko EKV, Surlykke A. Frequency alternation and an offbeat rhythm indicate foraging behavior in the echolocating bat, Saccopteryx bilineata. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2011; 197:413-23. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-011-0630-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Revised: 01/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Morphological correlates of echolocation frequency in the endemic Cape horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus capensis (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae). J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2010; 197:435-46. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-010-0601-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2010] [Revised: 09/13/2010] [Accepted: 10/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Schuchmann M, Siemers BM. Variability in echolocation call intensity in a community of horseshoe bats: a role for resource partitioning or communication? PLoS One 2010; 5:e12842. [PMID: 20862252 PMCID: PMC2941460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 08/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only recently data on bat echolocation call intensities is starting to accumulate. Yet, intensity is an ecologically crucial parameter, as it determines the extent of the bats' perceptual space and, specifically, prey detection distance. Interspecifically, we thus asked whether sympatric, congeneric bat species differ in call intensities and whether differences play a role for niche differentiation. Specifically, we investigated whether R. mehelyi that calls at a frequency clearly above what is predicted by allometry, compensates for frequency-dependent loss in detection distance by using elevated call intensity. Maximum echolocation call intensities might depend on body size or condition and thus be used as an honest signal of quality for intraspecific communication. We for the first time investigated whether a size-intensity relation is present in echolocating bats. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We measured maximum call intensities and frequencies for all five European horseshoe bat species. Maximum intensity differed among species largely due to R. euryale. Furthermore, we found no compensation for frequency-dependent loss in detection distance in R. mehelyi. Intraspecifically, there is a negative correlation between forearm lengths and intensity in R. euryale and a trend for a negative correlation between body condition index and intensity in R. ferrumequinum. In R. hipposideros, females had 8 dB higher intensities than males. There were no correlations with body size or sex differences and intensity for the other species. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Based on call intensity and frequency measurements, we estimated echolocation ranges for our study community. These suggest that intensity differences result in different prey detection distances and thus likely play some role for resource access. It is interesting and at first glance counter-intuitive that, where a correlation was found, smaller bats called louder than large individuals. Such negative relationship between size or condition and vocal amplitude may indicate an as yet unknown physiological or sexual selection pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Schuchmann
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.
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Jones G, Siemers BM. The communicative potential of bat echolocation pulses. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2010; 197:447-57. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-010-0565-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 07/22/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Similar is not the same: Social calls of conspecifics are more effective in attracting wild bats to day roosts than those of other bat species. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-010-1019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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