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Castro MG, Amado TF, Olalla-Tárraga MÁ. Correlated evolution between body size and echolocation in bats (order Chiroptera). BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:44. [PMID: 38622513 PMCID: PMC11017568 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02231-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body size and echolocation call frequencies are related in bats. However, it is unclear if this allometry applies to the entire clade. Differences have been suggested between nasal and oral emitting bats, as well as between some taxonomic families. Additionally, the scaling of other echolocation parameters, such as bandwidth and call duration, needs further testing. Moreover, it would be also interesting to test whether changes in body size have been coupled with changes in these echolocation parameters throughout bat evolution. Here, we test the scaling of peak frequency, bandwidth, and call duration with body mass using phylogenetically informed analyses for 314 bat species. We specifically tested whether all these scaling patterns differ between nasal and oral emitting bats. Then, we applied recently developed Bayesian statistical techniques based on large-scale simulations to test for the existence of correlated evolution between body mass and echolocation. RESULTS Our results showed that echolocation peak frequencies, bandwidth, and duration follow significant allometric patterns in both nasal and oral emitting bats. Changes in these traits seem to have been coupled across the laryngeal echolocation bats diversification. Scaling and correlated evolution analyses revealed that body mass is more related to peak frequency and call duration than to bandwidth. We exposed two non-exclusive kinds of mechanisms to explain the link between size and each of the echolocation parameters. CONCLUSIONS The incorporation of Bayesian statistics based on large-scale simulations could be helpful for answering macroevolutionary patterns related to the coevolution of traits in bats and other taxonomic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario G Castro
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Cambio Global, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, 28933, Spain.
| | - Talita Ferreira Amado
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
- German Center for Integrative Bioaffiliationersity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Miguel Á Olalla-Tárraga
- Departamento de Biología y Geología, Física y Química Inorgánica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Calle Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Cambio Global, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, 28933, Spain
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2
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Lin A, Feng J, Kanwal JS. Geographic Variation in Social Vocalizations of the Great Himalayan Leaf-Nosed Bat, Hipposideros armiger: Acoustic Overflow Across Population Boundaries. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.948324] [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
Bat populations employ rich vocal repertoires for social communication in addition to emitting sound pulses for echolocation. Acoustic parameters of echolocation pulses can vary with the context in which they are emitted, and also with the individual and across populations as a whole. The acoustic parameters of social vocalizations, or “calls”, also vary with the individual and context, but not much is known about their variation across populations at different geographic locations. Here, we leveraged the detailed acoustic classification of social vocalizations available for the Great Himalayan leaf-nosed bat, Hipposideros armiger, to examine geographic variation in five commonly emitted simple syllable types. We hypothesized that individuals within geographically dispersed populations communicate using spectrographically similar constructs or “syllable types”. We also examined whether call syllables vary discordantly with the correlation pattern observed for echolocation pulses across those same geographic regions. Furthermore, we postulated that the acoustic boundaries of a syllable type are not uniquely constrained to its variation within a particular population of the same subspecies. To test our hypotheses, we obtained recordings of social calls of H. a. armiger from nine locations within the oriental region. These locations were consolidated into five geographic regions based on previously established region-specific differences in the peak frequency of echolocation pulses. A multivariate cluster analysis established that unlike echolocation pulses, syllable types exhibit a relatively large variance. Analysis of this variance showed significant differences in Least Squares Means estimates, establishing significant population-level differences in the multiparametric means of individual syllable types across geographic regions. Multivariate discriminant analysis confirmed the presence of region-specific centroids for different syllable constructs, but also showed a large overlap of their multiparametric boundaries across geographic regions. We propose that despite differences in the population-specific core construct of a syllable type, bats maximize acoustic variation across individuals within a population irrespective of its overflow and overlap with other populations.
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3
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Starik N, Göttert T. Bats adjust echolocation and social call design as a response to urban environments. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.939408] [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
Behavioral traits play a major role in the successful adaptation of wildlife to urban conditions. We investigated and compared the acoustic behavior of free ranging bats in rural (Havelland, Brandenburg) and urban (Berlin city center) green areas (n = 6 sites) to assess possible effects of urbanization on bat vocalizations using automated real-time recordings from May to October 2020 and 2021. We show that foraging and social call activity of commonly occurring bat species was lower in urban areas compared to rural areas. We present data on rural-urban variation in acoustic parameters of echolocation and Type D social calls (produced during flight) using the example of the common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Calls from urban sites revealed significantly higher end and peak frequencies compared to rural site calls. In addition, urban social calls present a higher degree of complexity as they structurally differed from rural social calls with regard to assemblage and number of call components. Moreover, urban social calls were emitted in a presumably different context than rural calls: antagonistic social calls in urban areas were detected throughout the year and in the acoustic absence of conspecifics and heterospecifics. Our results provide evidence for the ability of P. pipistrellus to modulate temporal and spectral features of echolocation and social calls, as well as patterns of social call production, in order to compensate for constraints imposed by the urban acoustic environment. We suggest that this acoustic behavioral plasticity plays a major role in the degree of adaptation of insectivorous bats to urban habitats.
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4
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Zhao L, Liu Q, Qin Y, Zhai X, Tu F, Wang T, Wang J. Geographical variation of the acoustic signals in the spot-legged treefrog (Polypedates megacephalus) of Hainan Island. Integr Zool 2022. [PMID: 35384309 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Geographical divergence in acoustic signals is often affected by multiple selective pressures. Environmental factors are expected to shape signals by adjusting for greater propagation efficiency. Nevertheless, such habitat-driven hypotheses have not been well-examined with multi-signal and multi-habitat types included simultaneously. In this study, we evaluated call similarity of the spot-legged treefrog (Polypedates megacephalus), characterized by multiple call types, from 11 geographic populations across Hainan Island. We also examined multiple factors (i.e., body mass, temperature, altitude, and vegetation) among different acoustical geographic clusters, and tested whether the variation in acoustic length and frequency among different habitats was in accordance with the prediction derived from the acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH). We showed that P. megacephalus from Hainan Island included three acoustic geographic clusters: the northeastern flatlands, the southwest mountains, and the hills around the mountains. We also showed that environmental factors (i.e., altitude and vegetation) varied across these three acoustically distinct areas. Moreover, the duration of the different call types supported the hypothesis that they should have optimal transmission in their own habitats. Thus, our results reveal the roles of ecological selection in the geographical divergence of anuran acoustic signals. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longhui Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Qiucheng Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Yuanyu Qin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaofei Zhai
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Feiyun Tu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Tongliang Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Jichao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
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5
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Hending D, Drew H, Holderied MW. Habitat Use of Constant Frequency Echolocating Bats in North-West Madagascar with Acoustic Evidence for a Possible New Species. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2021. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2021.23.1.012] [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)
- Daniel Hending
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Helen Drew
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
| | - Marc W. Holderied
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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López-Bosch D, Huang JCC, Wang Y, Palmeirim AF, Gibson L, López-Baucells A. Bat echolocation in continental China: a systematic review and first acoustic identification key for the country. MAMMAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-021-00570-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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7
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Sun C, Jiang T, Gu H, Guo X, Zhang C, Gong L, Shi B, Feng J. Geographical variation of social calls and vocal discrimination in male Himalayan leaf-nosed bats. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Liu T, Zhang K, Dai W, Jin L, Sun K, Feng J. Evolutionary insights into
Rhinolophus episcopus
(Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae) in China: Isolation by distance, environment, or sensory system? J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tong Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Kangkang Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
| | - Wentao Dai
- 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
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization Northeast Normal University Changchun China
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology Ministry of Education 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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9
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López‐Cuamatzi IL, Vega‐Gutiérrez VH, Cabrera‐Campos I, Ruiz‐Sanchez E, Ayala‐Berdon J, Saldaña‐Vázquez RA. Does body mass restrict call peak frequency in echolocating bats? Mamm Rev 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Issachar L. López‐Cuamatzi
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla Blvd, Valsequillo y Av, San Claudio, Edificio BIO 1, Ciudad Universitaria, Col. Jardines de San ManuelC.P. 72570 Puebla México
| | - Víctor H. Vega‐Gutiérrez
- Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Carretera Tlaxcala‐Puebla Km. 1.5C.P. 90062Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl Tlaxcala México
| | - Iván Cabrera‐Campos
- Maestría en Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Tlaxcala de Biología de la Conducta Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Carretera Tlaxcala‐Puebla Km. 1.5C.P. 90062Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl Tlaxcala México
| | - Eduardo Ruiz‐Sanchez
- Departamento de Botánica y Zoología Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias Universidad de Guadalajara Camino Ing. Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Nextipac45200Zapopán Jalisco México
| | - Jorge Ayala‐Berdon
- CONACyT Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala Carretera Tlaxcala‐Puebla Km. 1.5 C.P. 90062 Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl Tlaxcala México
| | - Romeo A. Saldaña‐Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medio Ambiente Xavier Gorostiaga S.J. Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla Blvd. del Niño Poblano No. 2901, Col. Reserva Territorial Atlixcáyotl C. P. 72820 San Andrés Cholula Puebla México
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10
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Findlay SV, Barclay RMR. Acoustic Surveys for Bats are Improved by Taking Habitat Type into Account. WILDLIFE SOC B 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.1053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie V. Findlay
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NWCalgary AB Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Robert M. R. Barclay
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NWCalgary AB Canada T2N 1N4
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11
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Vernes SC, Wilkinson GS. Behaviour, biology and evolution of vocal learning in bats. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 375:20190061. [PMID: 31735153 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The comparative approach can provide insight into the evolution of human speech, language and social communication by studying relevant traits in animal systems. Bats are emerging as a model system with great potential to shed light on these processes given their learned vocalizations, close social interactions, and mammalian brains and physiology. A recent framework outlined the multiple levels of investigation needed to understand vocal learning across a broad range of non-human species, including cetaceans, pinnipeds, elephants, birds and bats. Here, we apply this framework to the current state-of-the-art in bat research. This encompasses our understanding of the abilities bats have displayed for vocal learning, what is known about the timing and social structure needed for such learning, and current knowledge about the prevalence of the trait across the order. It also addresses the biology (vocal tract morphology, neurobiology and genetics) and evolution of this trait. We conclude by highlighting some key questions that should be answered to advance our understanding of the biological encoding and evolution of speech and spoken communication. This article is part of the theme issue 'What can animal communication teach us about human language?'
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja C Vernes
- Neurogenetics of Vocal Communication Group, Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, PO Box 310, Nijmegen 6500 AH, The Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Kapittelweg 29, Nijmegen 6525 EN, The Netherlands
| | - Gerald S Wilkinson
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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12
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Zhao H, Wang H, Liu T, Liu S, Jin L, Huang X, Dai W, Sun K, Feng J. Gene expression vs. sequence divergence: comparative transcriptome sequencing among natural Rhinolophus ferrumequinum populations with different acoustic phenotypes. Front Zool 2019; 16:37. [PMID: 31528181 PMCID: PMC6743130 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-019-0336-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the sensory drive hypothesis can explain the geographic variation in echolocation frequencies of some bat species, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still unclear. The three lineages of greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in China (northeast, central-east, and southwest) have significant geographic variation in resting frequencies (RF) of echolocation calls. Because their cochleae have an acoustic fovea that is highly sensitive to a narrow range of frequencies, we reported the transcriptomes of cochleae collected from three genetic lineages of R. ferrumequinum, which is an ideal organism for studying geographic variation in echolocation signals, and tried to understand the mechanisms behind this bat phenomenon by analyzing gene expression and sequence variation. RESULTS A total of 8190 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. We identified five modules from all DEGs that were significantly related to RF or forearm length (FL). DEGs in the RF-related modules were significantly enriched in the gene categories involved in neural activity, learning, and response to sound. DEGs in the FL-related modules were significantly enriched in the pathways related to muscle and actin functions. Using 21,945 single nucleotide polymorphisms, we identified 18 candidate unigenes associated with hearing, five of which were differentially expressed among the three populations. Additionally, the gene ERBB4, which regulates diverse cellular processes in the inner ear such as cell proliferation and differentiation, was in the largest module. We also found 49 unigenes that were under positive selection from 4105 one-to-one orthologous gene pairs between the three R. ferrumequinum lineages and three other Chiroptera species. CONCLUSIONS The variability of gene expression and sequence divergence at the molecular level might provide evidence that can help elucidate the genetic basis of geographic variation in echolocation signals of greater horseshoe bats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbo Zhao
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117 China
| | - Hui Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117 China
| | - Tong Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117 China
| | - Sen Liu
- Institute of Resources & Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000 China
| | - Longru Jin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117 China
| | - Xiaobin Huang
- Vector Laboratory, Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Branch of Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671003 China
| | - Wentao Dai
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130117 China
| | - Keping Sun
- 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
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, 130118 China
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13
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Wu X, Pang Y, Luo B, Wang M, Feng J. Function of Distress Calls in Least Horseshoe Bats: A Field Study Using Playback Experiments. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2019. [DOI: 10.3161/15081109acc2018.20.2.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation of Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
| | - Yulan Pang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation of Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
| | - Bo Luo
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation of Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
| | - Man Wang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation of Ministry of Education, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, 255 Jingyue Street, Changchun 130117, China
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14
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Oliveira TF, Ramalho DF, Mora EC, Aguiar LMS. The acoustic gymnastics of the dwarf dog-faced bat (Molossops temminckii) in environments with different degrees of clutter. J Mammal 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyy070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thiago F Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro s/n, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniel F Ramalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro s/n, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Emanuel C Mora
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, Faculty of Biology, Havana University, Vedado, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
| | - Ludmilla M S Aguiar
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro s/n, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia e Conservação de Morcegos, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Darcy Ribeiro s/n, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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15
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Lehnen L, Schorcht W, Karst I, Biedermann M, Kerth G, Puechmaille SJ. Using Approximate Bayesian Computation to infer sex ratios from acoustic data. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199428. [PMID: 29928036 PMCID: PMC6013104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Population sex ratios are of high ecological relevance, but are challenging to determine in species lacking conspicuous external cues indicating their sex. Acoustic sexing is an option if vocalizations differ between sexes, but is precluded by overlapping distributions of the values of male and female vocalizations in many species. A method allowing the inference of sex ratios despite such an overlap will therefore greatly increase the information extractable from acoustic data. To meet this demand, we developed a novel approach using Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) to infer the sex ratio of populations from acoustic data. Additionally, parameters characterizing the male and female distribution of acoustic values (mean and standard deviation) are inferred. This information is then used to probabilistically assign a sex to a single acoustic signal. We furthermore develop a simpler means of sex ratio estimation based on the exclusion of calls from the overlap zone. Applying our methods to simulated data demonstrates that sex ratio and acoustic parameter characteristics of males and females are reliably inferred by the ABC approach. Applying both the ABC and the exclusion method to empirical datasets (echolocation calls recorded in colonies of lesser horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus hipposideros) provides similar sex ratios as molecular sexing. Our methods aim to facilitate evidence-based conservation, and to benefit scientists investigating ecological or conservation questions related to sex- or group specific behaviour across a wide range of organisms emitting acoustic signals. The developed methodology is non-invasive, low-cost and time-efficient, thus allowing the study of many sites and individuals. We provide an R-script for the easy application of the method and discuss potential future extensions and fields of applications. The script can be easily adapted to account for numerous biological systems by adjusting the type and number of groups to be distinguished (e.g. age, social rank, cryptic species) and the acoustic parameters investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Lehnen
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Inken Karst
- NACHTaktiv – Biologists for Bat research GbR, Erfurt, Germany
| | | | - Gerald Kerth
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sebastien J. Puechmaille
- University of Greifswald, Zoological Institute and Museum, Applied Zoology and Nature Conservation, Greifswald, Germany
- * E-mail:
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16
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Zhang C, Jiang T, Lu G, Lin A, Sun K, Liu S, Feng J. Geographical variation in the echolocation calls of bent-winged bats, Miniopterus fuliginosus. ZOOLOGY 2018; 131:36-44. [PMID: 29803625 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary biologists had a long-standing interest in the evolutionary forces underlying geographical variation in the acoustic signals of animals. However, the evolutionary forces driving acoustic variation are still unclear. In this study, we quantified the geographical variation in the peak frequencies of echolocation calls in eight Miniopterus fuliginosus bat colonies, and assessed the forces that drive acoustic divergence. Our results demonstrated that seven of the colonies had very similar peak frequencies, while only one colony was significantly higher than the others. This similarity in echolocation call frequency among the seven colonies was likely due to frequent dispersal and migration, leading to male-mediated infiltration of nuclear genes. This infiltration enhances gene flow and weakens ecological selection, and also increases interactions in the presence of conspecifics. Significant correlations were not observed between acoustic distances and morphological distances, climatic differences, geographic distances or mtDNA genetic distances. However, variation in acoustic distances was significantly positive correlated with nDNA genetic distance, even after controlling for geographic distance. Interestingly, the relationship between call divergence and genetic distance was no longer significant after excluding the colony with the highest call frequency, which may be due to the minimal genetic distance among the other seven colonies. The highest frequencies of echolocation calls observed in the one colony may be shaped by selection pressure due to loud background noise in the area. Taken together, these results suggest that geographic divergence of echolocation calls may not be subject to genetic drift, but rather, that the strong selective pressure induced by background noise may lead to acoustic and genetic differentiation between JXT and the other colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmian Zhang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China.
| | - Guanjun Lu
- College of Urban and Environment Science, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, 130032, PR China
| | - Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China
| | - Keping Sun
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China
| | - Sen Liu
- Institute of Resources & Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo, 454000, PR China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, PR China.
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18
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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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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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20
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Maluleke T, Jacobs DS, Winker H. Environmental correlates of geographic divergence in a phenotypic trait: A case study using bat echolocation. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:7347-7361. [PMID: 28944021 PMCID: PMC5606872 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Divergence in phenotypic traits may arise from the interaction of different evolutionary forces, including different kinds of selection (e.g., ecological), genetic drift, and phenotypic plasticity. Sensory systems play an important role in survival and reproduction, and divergent selection on such systems may result in lineage diversification. Such diversification could be largely influenced by selection in different environments as a result of isolation by environment (IbE). We investigated this process using geographic variation in the resting echolocation frequency of the horseshoe bat species, Rhinolophus damarensis, as a test case. Bats were sampled along a latitudinal gradient ranging from 16°S to 32°S in the arid western half of southern Africa. We measured body size and peak resting frequencies (RF) from handheld individual bats. Three hypotheses for the divergence in RF were tested: (1) James' Rule, (2) IbE, and (3) genetic drift through isolation by distance (IbD) to isolate the effects of body size, local climatic conditions, and geographic distance, respectively, on the resting frequency of R. damarensis. Our results did not support genetic drift because there was no correlation between RF variation and geographic distance. Our results also did not support James' Rule because there was no significant relationship between (1) geographic distances and RF, (2) body size and RF, or (3) body size and climatic variables. Instead, we found support for IbE in the form of a correlation between RF and both region and annual mean temperature, suggesting that RF variation may be the result of environmental discontinuities. The environmental discontinuities coincided with previously reported genetic divergence. Climatic gradients in conjunction with environmental discontinuities could lead to local adaptation in sensory signals and directed dispersal such that gene flow is restricted, allowing lineages to diverge. However, our study cannot exclude the role of processes like phenotypic plasticity in phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinyiko Maluleke
- Department of Biological Sciences Animal Evolution and Systematics Group (AES) University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - David S Jacobs
- Department of Biological Sciences Animal Evolution and Systematics Group (AES) University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Henning Winker
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology Environmental and Conservation (SEEC) South African National Biodiversity Institute Cape Town South Africa
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Xie L, Sun K, Jiang T, Liu S, Lu G, Jin L, Feng J. The effects of cultural drift on geographic variation in echolocation calls of the Chinese rufous horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus sinicus
). Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lifen Xie
- 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
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization; Northeast Normal University; Changchun China
| | - Sen Liu
- Institute of Resources and Environment; Henan Polytechnic University; Henan China
| | - Guanjun Lu
- College of Urban and Environment Sciences; Changchun Normal University; Changchun China
| | - Longru Jin
- 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
- Jilin Agricultural University; Changchun China
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22
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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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Mutumi GL, Jacobs DS, Winker H. Sensory Drive Mediated by Climatic Gradients Partially Explains Divergence in Acoustic Signals in Two Horseshoe Bat Species, Rhinolophus swinnyi and Rhinolophus simulator. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148053. [PMID: 26815436 PMCID: PMC4729529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Geographic variation can be an indicator of still poorly understood evolutionary processes such as adaptation and drift. Sensory systems used in communication play a key role in mate choice and species recognition. Habitat-mediated (i.e. adaptive) differences in communication signals may therefore lead to diversification. We investigated geographic variation in echolocation calls of African horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus simulator and R. swinnyi in the context of two adaptive hypotheses: 1) James’ Rule and 2) the Sensory Drive Hypothesis. According to James’ Rule body-size should vary in response to relative humidity and temperature so that divergence in call frequency may therefore be the result of climate-mediated variation in body size because of the correlation between body size and call frequency. The Sensory Drive Hypothesis proposes that call frequency is a response to climate-induced differences in atmospheric attenuation and predicts that increases in atmospheric attenuation selects for calls of lower frequency. We measured the morphology and resting call frequency (RF) of 111 R. simulator and 126 R. swinnyi individuals across their distributional range to test the above hypotheses. Contrary to the prediction of James’ Rule, divergence in body size could not explain the variation in RF. Instead, acoustic divergence in RF was best predicted by latitude, geography and climate-induced differences in atmospheric attenuation, as predicted by the Sensory Drive Hypothesis. Although variation in RF was strongly influenced by temperature and humidity, other climatic variables (associated with latitude and altitude) as well as drift (as suggested by a positive correlation between call variation and geographic distance, especially in R. simulator) may also play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L. Mutumi
- Animal Evolution and Systematics Group (AES), Biological Sciences Department, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- * E-mail: (GLM); (DSJ)
| | - David S. Jacobs
- Animal Evolution and Systematics Group (AES), Biological Sciences Department, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- * E-mail: (GLM); (DSJ)
| | - Henning Winker
- Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation (SEEC), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Cape Town, South Africa
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Wu H, Jiang TL, Müller R, Feng J. The allometry of echolocation call frequencies in horseshoe bats: nasal capsule and pinna size are the better predictors than forearm length. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Wu
- Jilin Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization; Northeast Normal University; Changchun China
| | - T.-L. 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
| | - R. Müller
- Virginia Tech International Laboratory; Shandong University; Jinan China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering; Virginia Tech; Blacksburg VA USA
| | - J. 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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