Bats vocalize to generate spatio-temporal maps of their surroundings, but do individuals use the vocalizations of others to augment their own maps?
In large numbers this could prove an effective means of increasing navigational ability during relatively short (e.g., return to colony) or longer (e.g., migration) flights.
If so, what role might vocal learning play?
Bats do in fact eavesdrop on each other. Aside from anecdotal observations and a few studies, not much has been investigated regarding that topic.
Here is a link from a study done on eavesdropping bats.
Here is another link from Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana) jamming echos from conspecifics, presumably to obtain prey.
http://news.discovery.com/animals/bats-eavesdrop-on-each-other-to-find-food-150108.htm
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bats-jam-each-other-echolocation-battles-food
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/Z07-060
Good afternoon Justin,
You also might have a look at the following papers:
Carter, G.G., Skowronski, M.D., Faure, P.A., Fenton, M.B. (2009). White-winged vampire bats (Diaemus youngi) exchange contact calls. - Can. J. Zool., 87 (11): 604 - 608. doi: 10.1139/Z09-051
Popa-Lisseanu, A.G., Voigt, C.C. (2009). Bats on the move. - J. Mamm., 90 (6): 1283 - 1289. doi: 10.1644/09-MAMM-S-130R2.1
Yours,
Victor
I'm not sure any of those papers really answer the original question. The idea of using the returning echolocation calls of conspecifics add more information on the surroundings is interesting. However, there may be too many variables there for a brain to process. Just a thought, but may be worthwhile looking into.
I agree, interesting as they were. Testing the behaviour may not be so bad, I guess you could just trap and then de-vocalize a bat living in a communal group, strap a GPS unit on it, release it and see if it could still navigate. Some electro physiology may also prove useful in determining differential brain region activity but under anaesthesia it could kind of murky, and be hand wavy kind of stuff; hey, why not fMRI, all you'd need is a 7T animal magnet and millions of dollars. Thanks for the reply Thomas.
Good morning Justin,
If you want to pursue the MRI direction, you might want to have a look at https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/rg/bio-imaging-lab/
Perhaps they might have some further suggestions.
Yours,
Victor
Hi Justin,
it is an interesting question/comment. For echolocating bats it is quite a big challenge to identify their own echoes from conspecific echoes. However I assume for using echoes from conspecifics the bats have to know the time point of call emission. Without that time point the bats would not be able to process target range for example.
Best,
Jerome
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Physiology
- Physiological Processes
- Stress