Echolocating bats rapidly adjust their mouth gape to control spatial acquisition when scanning a target.

ABSTRACT:

Background

As well known to any photographer, controlling the "field of view" offers an extremely powerful mechanism by which to adjust target acquisition. Only a few natural sensory systems can actively control their field of view (e.g., dolphins, whales, and bats). Bats are known for their active sensing abilities and modify their echolocation signals by actively controlling their spectral and temporal characteristics. Less is known about bats' ability to actively modify their bio-sonar field of view.

Results

We show that Pipistrellus kuhlii bats rapidly narrow their sensory field of view (i.e., their bio-sonar beam) when scanning a target. On-target vertical sonar beams were twofold narrower than off-target beams. Continuous measurements of the mouth gape of free-flying b

SUBMITTER: Eitan O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9758934 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature