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Gong L, Geng Y, Wang Z, Lin A, Wu H, Feng J, Jiang T. Protocol for simulating foraging behavior strategy and dual-choice predatory sensory cue experiments in aerial-hawking bats. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102494. [PMID: 37543942 PMCID: PMC10425939 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102494] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The nocturnal and cryptic nature of bats makes it difficult to determine their foraging behavior and predatory sensory cues. Here, we present a protocol for determining the behavioral strategies and sensory cues of bat predation on airborne prey. We describe steps for indoor foraging behavior simulation, dual-choice acoustic playback, and visual presentation experiments. This protocol was used to study the avivorous bat, Ia io, but it can be adapted for studying other aerial-hawking bats and even other taxa. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Gong et al. (2022).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Gong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Yang Geng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Aiqing Lin
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
| | - Hui Wu
- College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Jiang Feng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
| | - Tinglei Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
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Behavioral innovation and genomic novelty are associated with the exploitation of a challenging dietary opportunity by an avivorous bat. iScience 2022; 25:104973. [PMID: 36093062 PMCID: PMC9459691 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Foraging on nocturnally migrating birds is one of the most challenging foraging tasks in the animal kingdom. Only three bat species (e.g., Ia io) known to date can prey on migratory birds. However, how these bats have exploited this challenging dietary niche remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that I. io hunts at the altitude of migrating birds during the bird migration season. The foraging I. io exhibited high flight altitudes (up to 4945 m above sea level) and high flight speeds (up to 143.7 km h−1). I. io in flight can actively prey on birds in the night sky via echolocation cues. Genes associated with DNA damage repair, hypoxia adaptation, biting and mastication, and digestion and metabolism have evolved to adapt to this species’ avivorous habits. Our results suggest that the evolution of behavioral innovation and genomic novelty are associated with the exploitation of challenging dietary opportunities. Predation on nocturnally migrating birds is rare and challenging in nature Bats exhibit high flight altitude and speed associated with foraging on migrating birds Bats can actively prey on birds in the night sky via echolocation cues The adaptive evolution of genes enables bats to adapt to the avivorous habits
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Jones TK, Moss CF. Visual cues enhance obstacle avoidance in echolocating bats. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:261726. [PMID: 33942102 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.241968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that bats are capable of using visual information for a variety of purposes, including navigation and foraging, but the relative contributions of visual and auditory modalities in obstacle avoidance has yet to be fully investigated, particularly in laryngeal echolocating bats. A first step requires the characterization of behavioral responses to different combinations of sensory cues. Here, we quantified the behavioral responses of the insectivorous big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, in an obstacle avoidance task offering different combinations of auditory and visual cues. To do so, we utilized a new method that eliminates the confounds typically associated with testing bat vision and precludes auditory cues. We found that the presence of visual and auditory cues together enhances bats' avoidance response to obstacles compared with cues requiring either vision or audition alone. Analyses of flight and echolocation behaviors, such as speed and call rate, did not vary significantly under different obstacle conditions, and thus are not informative indicators of a bat's response to obstacle stimulus type. These findings advance the understanding of the relative importance of visual and auditory sensory modalities in guiding obstacle avoidance behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te K Jones
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Cynthia F Moss
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Cechetto C, de Busserolles F, Jakobsen L, Warrant EJ. Retinal Ganglion Cell Topography and Spatial Resolving Power in Echolocating and Non-Echolocating Bats. BRAIN, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION 2020; 95:58-68. [PMID: 32818939 DOI: 10.1159/000508863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bats are nocturnal mammals known for their ability to echolocate, yet all bats can see, and most bats of the family Pteropodidae (fruit bats) do not echolocate - instead they rely mainly on vision and olfaction to forage. We investigated whether echolocating bats, given their limited reliance on vision, have poorer spatial resolving power (SRP) than pteropodids and whether tongue click echolocating fruit bats differ from non-echolocating fruit bats in terms of visual performance. We compared the number and distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) as well as the maximum anatomical SRP derived from these distributions in 4 species of bats: Myotis daubentonii, a laryngeal echolocating bat from the family Vespertilionidae, Rousettus aegyptiacus, a tongue clicking echolocating bat from the family Pteropodidae, and Pteropus alecto and P. poliocephalus, 2 non-echolocating bats (also from the Pteropodidae). We find that all 3 pteropodids have a similar number (≈200,000 cells) and distribution of RGCs and a similar maximum SRP (≈4 cycles/degree). M. daubentonii has fewer (∼6,000 cells) and sparser RGCs than the pteropodids and thus a significantly lower SRP (0.6 cycles/degree). M. daubentonii also differs in terms of the distribution of RGCs by having a unique dorsal area of specialization in the retina. Our findings are consistent with the existing literature and suggest that M. daubentonii likely only uses vision for orientation, while for pteropodids vision is also important for foraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Cechetto
- Sound, Communication and Behaviour Group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark,
| | - Fanny de Busserolles
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lasse Jakobsen
- Sound, Communication and Behaviour Group, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eric J Warrant
- Vision Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Roeleke M, Teige T, Hoffmeister U, Klingler F, Voigt CC. Aerial-hawking bats adjust their use of space to the lunar cycle. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2018; 6:11. [PMID: 30123507 PMCID: PMC6090956 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-018-0131-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animals change their habitat use in response to spatio-temporal fluctuation of resources. Some resources may vary periodically according to the moonphase. Yet it is poorly documented how animals, particularly nocturnal mammals, adjust their use of space in response to the moonphase.Here, we asked if an obligate nocturnal mammal, the aerial-hawking common noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), adjusts its 3-dimensional flight behaviour and habitat use to the lunar period. Using miniaturized GPS loggers, we recorded 3-dimensional flight tracks of N. noctula and related these to a canopy height model derived from aerial laser scans to investigate whether bats adjust forest strata use to moonlight intensities. RESULTS Noctules frequently foraged above the canopy of coniferous forest at low moonlight intensities, but switched to using open grasslands and arable fields in nights with high moonlight intensities. During the few occasions when noctules used the forest during moonlit nights, they mostly restricted their use of space to flying below the canopy level. The median overall flight altitude of N. noctula equalled 13 ± 16 m but reached up to 71 m above ground (97.5% quantile). CONCLUSIONS Our findings argue against general lunar phobic behaviour of aerial-hawking bats. We suggest that the preferred use of open fields around full moon may be a strategy of noctules to increase the success of hunting airborne insects at night. Specifically, the adjustment in use of space may allow bats to hunt for insects that emerge and disperse over open fields during bright moonlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Roeleke
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Teige
- Büro für faunistisch-ökologische Fachgutachten, Goldsternweg 34, 12524 Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Hoffmeister
- Natura Büro für zoologische und botanische Fachgutachten, Hans-Sachs-Str. 48, 15732 Schulzendorf, Germany
| | - Friederike Klingler
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian C. Voigt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Biologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Leavell BC, Rubin JJ, McClure CJW, Miner KA, Branham MA, Barber JR. Fireflies thwart bat attack with multisensory warnings. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaat6601. [PMID: 30140743 PMCID: PMC6105302 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat6601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Many defended animals prevent attacks by displaying warning signals that are highly conspicuous to their predators. We hypothesized that bioluminescing fireflies, widely known for their vibrant courtship signals, also advertise their noxiousness to echolocating bats. To test this postulate, we pit naïve big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) against chemically defended fireflies (Photinus pyralis) to examine whether and how these beetles transmit salient warnings to bats. We demonstrate that these nocturnal predators learn to avoid noxious fireflies using either vision or echolocation and that bats learn faster when integrating information from both sensory streams-providing fundamental evidence that multisensory integration increases the efficacy of warning signals in a natural predator-prey system. Our findings add support for a warning signal origin of firefly bioluminescence and suggest that bat predation may have driven evolution of firefly bioluminescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Leavell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Juliette J. Rubin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Christopher J. W. McClure
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
- The Peregrine Fund, Boise, ID 83709, USA
| | - Krystie A. Miner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Marc A. Branham
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jesse R. Barber
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
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Ter Hofstede HM, Ratcliffe JM. Evolutionary escalation: the bat-moth arms race. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 219:1589-602. [PMID: 27252453 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.086686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Echolocation in bats and high-frequency hearing in their insect prey make bats and insects an ideal system for studying the sensory ecology and neuroethology of predator-prey interactions. Here, we review the evolutionary history of bats and eared insects, focusing on the insect order Lepidoptera, and consider the evidence for antipredator adaptations and predator counter-adaptations. Ears evolved in a remarkable number of body locations across insects, with the original selection pressure for ears differing between groups. Although cause and effect are difficult to determine, correlations between hearing and life history strategies in moths provide evidence for how these two variables influence each other. We consider life history variables such as size, sex, circadian and seasonal activity patterns, geographic range and the composition of sympatric bat communities. We also review hypotheses on the neural basis for anti-predator behaviours (such as evasive flight and sound production) in moths. It is assumed that these prey adaptations would select for counter-adaptations in predatory bats. We suggest two levels of support for classifying bat traits as counter-adaptations: traits that allow bats to eat more eared prey than expected based on their availability in the environment provide a low level of support for counter-adaptations, whereas traits that have no other plausible explanation for their origination and maintenance than capturing defended prey constitute a high level of support. Specific predator counter-adaptations include calling at frequencies outside the sensitivity range of most eared prey, changing the pattern and frequency of echolocation calls during prey pursuit, and quiet, or 'stealth', echolocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Ter Hofstede
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - John M Ratcliffe
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 1C6
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Muchhala N, Serrano D. The Complexity of Background Clutter Affects Nectar Bat Use of Flower Odor and Shape Cues. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136657. [PMID: 26445216 PMCID: PMC4596802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Given their small size and high metabolism, nectar bats need to be able to quickly locate flowers during foraging bouts. Chiropterophilous plants depend on these bats for their reproduction, thus they also benefit if their flowers can be easily located, and we would expect that floral traits such as odor and shape have evolved to maximize detection by bats. However, relatively little is known about the importance of different floral cues during foraging bouts. In the present study, we undertook a set of flight cage experiments with two species of nectar bats (Anoura caudifer and A. geoffroyi) and artificial flowers to compare the importance of shape and scent cues in locating flowers. In a training phase, a bat was presented an artificial flower with a given shape and scent, whose position was constantly shifted to prevent reliance on spatial memory. In the experimental phase, two flowers were presented, one with the training-flower scent and one with the training-flower shape. For each experimental repetition, we recorded which flower was located first, and then shifted flower positions. Additionally, experiments were repeated in a simple environment, without background clutter, or a complex environment, with a background of leaves and branches. Results demonstrate that bats visit either flower indiscriminately with simple backgrounds, with no significant difference in terms of whether they visit the training-flower odor or training-flower shape first. However, in a complex background olfaction was the most important cue; scented flowers were consistently located first. This suggests that for well-exposed flowers, without obstruction from clutter, vision and/or echolocation are sufficient in locating them. In more complex backgrounds, nectar bats depend more heavily on olfaction during foraging bouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Muchhala
- Department of Biology, University of Missouri St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Diana Serrano
- Escuela de Ciencias Biologicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
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Clare EL, Holderied MW. Acoustic shadows help gleaning bats find prey, but may be defeated by prey acoustic camouflage on rough surfaces. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 26327624 PMCID: PMC4550812 DOI: 10.7554/elife.07404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Perceptual abilities of animals, like echolocating bats, are difficult to study because they challenge our understanding of non-visual senses. We used novel acoustic tomography to convert echoes into visual representations and compare these cues to traditional echo measurements. We provide a new hypothesis for the echo-acoustic basis of prey detection on surfaces. We propose that bats perceive a change in depth profile and an 'acoustic shadow' cast by prey. The shadow is more salient than prey echoes and particularly strong on smooth surfaces. This may explain why bats look for prey on flat surfaces like leaves using scanning behaviour. We propose that rather than forming search images for prey, whose characteristics are unpredictable, predators may look for disruptions to the resting surface (acoustic shadows). The fact that the acoustic shadow is much fainter on rougher resting surfaces provides the first empirical evidence for 'acoustic camouflage' as an anti-predator defence mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Clare
- School of Biological and Chemical Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc W Holderied
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Gutierrez EDA, Pessoa VF, Aguiar LMS, Pessoa DMA. Effect of light intensity on food detection in captive great fruit-eating bats, Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae). Behav Processes 2014; 109 Pt A:64-9. [PMID: 25153795 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bats are known for their well-developed echolocation. However, several experiments focused on the bat visual system have shown evidence of the importance of visual cues under specific luminosity for different aspects of bat biology, including foraging behavior. This study examined the foraging abilities of five female great fruit-eating bats, Artibeus lituratus, under different light intensities. Animals were given a series of tasks to test for discrimination between a food target against an inedible background, under light levels similar to the twilight illumination (18lx), the full moon (2lx) and complete darkness (0lx). We found that the bats required a longer time frame to detect targets under a light intensity similar to twilight, possibly due to inhibitory effects present under a more intense light level. Additionally, bats were more efficient at detecting and capturing targets under light conditions similar to the luminosity of a full moon, suggesting that visual cues were important for target discrimination. These results demonstrate that light intensity affects foraging behavior and enables the use of visual cues for food detection in frugivorous bats. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neotropical Behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo de A Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Valdir F Pessoa
- Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Ludmilla M S Aguiar
- Laboratory of Biology and Conservation of Bats, Department of Zoology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
| | - Daniel M A Pessoa
- Laboratory of Sensory Ecology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN 59012-350, Brazil.
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Geipel I, Jung K, Kalko EKV. Perception of silent and motionless prey on vegetation by echolocation in the gleaning bat Micronycteris microtis. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20122830. [PMID: 23325775 PMCID: PMC3574334 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.2830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Gleaning insectivorous bats that forage by using echolocation within dense forest vegetation face the sensorial challenge of acoustic masking effects. Active perception of silent and motionless prey in acoustically cluttered environments by echolocation alone has thus been regarded impossible. The gleaning insectivorous bat Micronycteris microtis however, forages in dense understory vegetation and preys on insects, including dragonflies, which rest silent and motionless on vegetation. From behavioural experiments, we show that M. microtis uses echolocation as the sole sensorial modality for successful prey perception within a complex acoustic environment. All individuals performed a stereotypical three-dimensional hovering flight in front of prey items, while continuously emitting short, multi-harmonic, broadband echolocation calls. We observed a high precision in target localization which suggests that M. microtis perceives a detailed acoustic image of the prey based on shape, surface structure and material. Our experiments provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence that a gleaning bat uses echolocation alone for successful detection, classification and precise localization of silent and motionless prey in acoustic clutter. Overall, we conclude that the three-dimensional hovering flight of M. microtis in combination with a frequent emission of short, high-frequency echolocation calls is the key for active prey perception in acoustically highly cluttered environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Geipel
- Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany.
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Pettit T, Wilkins K. Canopy and edge activity of bats in a quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) forest. CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/z2012-049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Characteristics of edges affect the behavior of species that are active in and near edges. Forest canopies may provide edge-like habitat for bats, though bat response to edge orientation has not been well examined. We sampled bat activity in quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) forest canopies and edges in Heber Valley, Utah, during summer 2009 using Anabat detectors. Categorization and regression tree (CART) analysis of echolocation characteristics (e.g., frequency, duration) identified two guilds based on characteristic frequency (i.e., high- and low-frequency guilds). We used linear regression to compare characteristics of canopy and edge vegetation (e.g., tree height, diameter at breast height) to bat activity levels. Activity levels of high-frequency bats did not respond differentially to edge vegetation; low-frequency bat activity seemed to respond to canopy height. Activity levels of high-frequency bats were significantly greater than low-frequency bats in both edges and canopies. We detected significantly more bat activity in forest edges than in forest canopies, indicating the importance of edges to bats in forests.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.W. Pettit
- Baylor University, Department of Biology, One Bear Place #97388, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - K.T. Wilkins
- Baylor University, Department of Biology, One Bear Place #97388, Waco, TX 76798, USA
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Kaczorowski RL, Leonard AS, Dornhaus A, Papaj DR. Floral signal complexity as a possible adaptation to environmental variability: a test using nectar-foraging bumblebees, Bombus impatiens. Anim Behav 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Ruczyński I, Szarlik A, Siemers BM. Conspicuous Visual Cues can Help Bats to Find Tree Cavities. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2011. [DOI: 10.3161/150811011x624857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Fukui D, Okazaki K, Miyazaki M, Maeda K. The Effect of Roost Environment on Roost Selection by Non-Reproductive and Dispersing Asian Parti-Coloured BatsVespertilio sinensis. MAMMAL STUDY 2010. [DOI: 10.3106/041.035.0207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Moosman, PR, Cratsley CK, Lehto SD, Thomas HH. Do courtship flashes of fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) serve as aposematic signals to insectivorous bats? Anim Behav 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ruczyński I, Kalko EKV, Siemers BM. Calls in the Forest: A Comparative Approach to How Bats Find Tree Cavities. Ethology 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2008.01599.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Aihartza J, Almenar D, Salsamendi E, Goiti U, Garin I. Fishing behaviour in the long-fingered bat Myotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837): an experimental approach. ACTA CHIROPTEROLOGICA 2008. [DOI: 10.3161/150811008x414863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ruczyński I, Kalko EKV, Siemers BM. The sensory basis of roost finding in a forest bat, Nyctalus noctula. J Exp Biol 2007; 210:3607-15. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.009837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Tree cavities are a critical resource for most forest-dwelling bats. Yet,it is not known how bats search for new sites and, in particular, find entrances to cavities. Here, we evaluated the importance of different sensory channels for the detection of tree roosts by the noctule bat Nyctalus noctula. Specifically, we tested the role of three non-social cues (echo information, visual information and temperature-related cues) and two social sensory cues (conspecific echolocation calls and the presence of bat olfactory cues). We set up an experiment in a flight room that mimicked natural conditions. In the flight room, we trained wild-caught bats kept in captivity for a short while to find the entrance to an artificial tree cavity. We measured the bats' hole-finding performance based on echolocation cues alone and then presented the bat with one of four additional sensory cues. Our data show that conspecific echolocation calls clearly improved the bats'performance in finding tree holes, both from flying (long-range detection) and when they were crawling on the trunk (short range detection). The other cues we presented had no, or only weak, effects on performance, implying that detection of new cavities from a distance is difficult for noctules if no additional social cues, in particular calls from conspecifics, are present. We conclude that sensory constraints strongly limit the effectiveness of finding new cavities and may in turn promote sociality and acoustic information transfer among bats. As acoustic cues clearly increased the bats' detection performance, we suggest that eavesdropping is an important mechanism for reducing the costs of finding suitable roosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ireneusz Ruczyński
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Waszkiewicza 1,17-230 Białowieża, Poland
| | - Elisabeth K. V. Kalko
- Experimental Ecology (Bio III), University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Panama
| | - Björn M. Siemers
- Sensory Ecology Group, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology,Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße, 82319 Seewiesen, Germany
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Russo D, Jones G, Arlettaz R. Echolocation and passive listening by foraging mouse-eared bats Myotis myotis and M. blythii. J Exp Biol 2007; 210:166-76. [PMID: 17170159 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
The two sibling mouse-eared bats, Myotis myotis and M. blythii, cope with similar orientation tasks, but separate their trophic niche by hunting in species-specific foraging microhabitats. Previous work has shown that both species rely largely on passive listening to detect and glean prey from substrates, and studies on other bat species have suggested that echolocation is `switched off' during passive listening. We tested the hypothesis that mouse-eared bats continuously emit echolocation calls while approaching prey. Echolocation may be needed for orientation while simultaneously listening for prey. Because these sibling species forage in different microhabitats and eat different prey, we also compared their echolocation behaviour and related it to their ecology. Both species used echolocation throughout prey approach, corroborating a functional role for echolocation during gleaning. Captive bats of both species emitted similar orientation calls, and pulse rate increased during prey approach. Between the search to approach phases, call amplitude showed a sudden, dramatic drop and bats adopted `whispering echolocation' by emitting weak calls. Whispering echolocation may reduce the risks of masking prey-generated sounds during passive listening, the mouse-eared bats' main detection tactic; it may also avoid alerting ultrasound-sensitive prey. In several cases M. myotisemitted a loud buzz made of 2-18 components when landing. We hypothesise that the buzz, absent in M. blythii at least when gleaning from the same substrate, is used to assess the distance from ground and refine the landing manoeuvre. Our findings have implications for niche separation between sibling species of echolocating bats, support a role for echolocation during passive listening and suggest a functional role for buzzes in landing control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Russo
- Laboratorio di Ecologia Applicata, Dipartimento Ar.Bo.Pa.Ve., Facoltà di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100, I-80055 Portici (Napoli), Italy.
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Kroder S, Samietz J, Dorn S. Temperature affects interaction of visual and vibrational cues in parasitoid host location. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2006; 193:223-31. [PMID: 17082964 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-006-0181-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2006] [Revised: 09/28/2006] [Accepted: 10/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Parasitoid host location in nature is facilitated by simultaneously using different information sources. How multisensory orientation on the same spatial scale is influenced by environmental conditions is however poorly understood. Here we test whether changes in reliability of cues can cause parasitoids to alter multisensory orientation and to switch to cues that are more reliable under extreme temperatures. In the ichneumonid wasp Pimpla turionellae, multisensory use of thermally insensitive vision and thermally sensitive mechanosensory host location by vibrational sounding (echolocation on solid substrate) was investigated with choice experiments on plant-stem models under optimum temperature (18 degrees C), at high- (28 degrees C) and low-temperature limits (8 degrees C) of vibrational sounding. Temperature affected relative importance of vibrational sounding whereas visual orientation did not vary. At 18 degrees C, parasitoids used visual and vibrational cues with comparable relative importance. At 8 and 28 degrees C, the role of vibrational sounding in multisensory orientation was significantly reduced in line with decreased reliability. Wasps nearly exclusively chose visual cues at 8 degrees C. The parasitoids switch between cues and sensory systems depending on temperature. As overall precision of ovipositor insertions was not affected by temperature, the parasitoids fully compensate the loss of one cue provided another reliable cue is available on the same spatial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kroder
- Institute of Plant Sciences, Applied Entomology, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Haupt M, Menzler S, Schmidt S. FLEXIBILITY OF HABITAT USE IN EPTESICUS NILSSONII: DOES THE SPECIES PROFIT FROM ANTHROPOGENICALLY ALTERED HABITATS? J Mammal 2006. [DOI: 10.1644/05-mamm-a-193r1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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25
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Korine C, Kalko EKV. Fruit detection and discrimination by small fruit-eating bats (Phyllostomidae): echolocation call design and olfaction. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-005-0003-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Winter Y, von Merten S, Kleindienst HU. Visual landmark orientation by flying bats at a large-scale touch and walk screen for bats, birds and rodents. J Neurosci Methods 2005; 141:283-90. [PMID: 15661311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2004.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2004] [Revised: 07/01/2004] [Accepted: 07/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Orientation depends on multi-modal information about the locally perceptible environment (local view) in many situations. We developed a behavioural paradigm for investigating visual orientation of flying bats based on a large-scale touch screen (1.2 m x 1.8 m). It functions by a grid of rows and columns of infra-red beams just in front of a screen with back-projected visual stimuli. Approaching animals interrupt the beams and thus permit automatic recording of the time and place of an animal's locational choice. We used it as a vertical touch surface. Installed as a horizontal walk surface, it may also serve as a more natural 'firm ground', circular arena analogue to the 'Morris water maze' for investigating orientation behaviour and spatial cognition from rodents to birds while offering automatic real-time recording of paths, times and latencies with enhanced possibilities to score details of motor behaviour and to control stimuli interactively. Bats offer a unique possibility to investigate the use of both echo-acoustic and visual information processing pathways for the process of self-localization and orientation. In our first experiment, a bat was presented with five identical targets, one central and four peripheral and had to choose the central target. After task acquisition, the array was shifted by the distance between targets, so that a formerly peripheral landmark was now in the absolute location of the formerly central target. At small inter-target distances, the bat 'went with' the array, and chose the new central target (at a new absolute location). With 30 cm or more of inter-target distance (60 cm across the landmark configuration), however, the bat went with absolute location, and chose a peripheral target. In experiment 2, the bat was presented with two landmarks 30 cm apart and an unmarked target located at midline beneath them. On tests, the landmarks either maintained training distance or were expanded to 50 cm apart. On such expansion tests, the bat chose most the location at the correct vector from the right landmark. This showed that the bat first identified a single landmark by the configuration and then applied a previously learnt vector (angle and distance) to locate the target. Glossophaga did not orient by pure angular geometry between landmarks and target.
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Affiliation(s)
- York Winter
- Department of Biology, University of Munich, Germany.
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