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The effect of flight speed on signal structure and performance in four species of echolocating bat
Reference
S12556
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Professor Gareth Jones
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution
University of Bristol
Department
Biological Sciences
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
174,746
Status
Completed
Type
Research Grant
Start date
01/04/2000
End date
14/10/2003
Duration
43 months
Abstract
This study aims to calculate the flight speed of individual bats whilst commuting, foraging and attacking insect prey. Echolocation calls will be recorded via a microphone array and analysed digitally in terms of their range and velocity-resolving capability. We hypothesise that faster flying species should produce echolocation calls that exhibit more Doppler- tolerance than those produced by slower flying species. We also hypothesise that commuting bats will use a more Doppler-tolerant signal due to higher flight speeds than foraging bats. Our final hypothesis is that bats attacking prey will produce calls optimised for target tracking compared with calls used for orientation or searching for food. Commuting and foraging areas of four species of insectivorous bat will be defined by radio tracking. Flight speed and echolocation calls will be recorded (video and audio) from bats commuting to and from foraging sites, foraging, and attacking insect prey. Flight speed will be measured using 3D reconstruction of bats' flight paths and compared with predictions from measurements of flight morphology.
Summary
unavailable
Committee
Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics
X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority
X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative
X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme
X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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