Female mate choice can drive the evolution of high frequency echolocation in bats: a case study with Rhinolophus mehelyi.

ABSTRACT: Animals employ an array of signals (i.e. visual, acoustic, olfactory) for communication. Natural selection favours signals, receptors, and signalling behaviour that optimise the received signal relative to background noise. When the signal is used for more than one function, antagonisms amongst the different signalling functions may constrain the optimisation of the signal for any one function. Sexual selection through mate choice can strongly modify the effects of natural selection on signalling systems ultimately causing maladaptive signals to evolve. Echolocating bats represent a fascinating group in which to study the evolution of signalling systems as unlike bird songs or frog calls, echolocation has a dual role in foraging and communication. The function of bat echolocation is to gen

SUBMITTER: Puechmaille SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4116191 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature