Dialect Formation in Ghost Bats: Genetic, Geographic and Morphological Drivers of Social and Echolocation Call Divergence.

ABSTRACT: Geographical patterns of vocal dialects in bats are poorly understood, despite growing evidence of complex vocal communication systems. We investigated variation in vocalisations recorded at five ghost bat colonies in the Northern Territory, Australia. We calculated genetic and morphological distances among individuals and correlations with geographic distance. We then determined variation within three social vocalisations ('chirp-trill', 'squabble', 'ultrasonic social') and the 'echolocation' call using seven spectrographic measurements. Finally, we tested whether acoustic distance could be explained by genetic, geographic or morphological distance. Geographic and genetic distance were highly correlated, suggesting the occurrence of isolation by distance. All measures of morphological dis

SUBMITTER: Hanrahan N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765597 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature