Acoustic deterrents influence foraging activity, flight and echolocation behaviour of free-flying bats.

ABSTRACT: Acoustic deterrents have shown potential as a viable mitigation measure to reduce human impacts on bats; however, the mechanisms underpinning acoustic deterrence of bats have yet to be explored. Bats avoid ambient ultrasound in their environment and alter their echolocation calls in response to masking noise. Using stereo thermal videogrammetry and acoustic methods, we tested predictions that: (i) bats would avoid acoustic deterrents and forage and social call less in a 'treated airspace'; (ii) deterrents would cause bats to fly with more direct flight paths akin to commuting behaviour and in line with a reduction in foraging activity, resulting in increased flight speed and decreased flight tortuosity; and (iii) bats would alter their echolocation call structure in response to the masking

SUBMITTER: Gilmour LRV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8601711 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature