Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

06 Aug, 07 AM - 08 Aug, 03 AM

When we think about bats, typically echolocation comes to mind. Indeed most microchiropterans use echolocation to both avoid obstacles and locate prey. The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) belongs to a small group of bats called 'gleaners'. The pallid bat uses echolocation to avoid obstacles and for general orientation. But it listens passively to prey-generated noise to localize prey. Its prey are typically ground dwellers (crickets, scorpions, etc). The objective of the work at the reserve is to first identify locations to observe pallid bats. This will be followed by field studies in which speakers will be used to produce prey-like sounds to ask what parameters (frequency range, duration, rate, etc) of the sound are attractive to pallid bats. Finally, a few bats (3-4) will be collected and brought back to the lab at UCR to conduct sound localization accuracy studies to determine the nature of errors the bat makes with systematic changes in sound parameters and to study mechanisms of sound localization. The lab studies will also determine the masking effects of typical environmental sounds on the pallid bat's sound localization accuracy. The mechanisms of sound localization are only incompletely understood. Part of the reason is the lack of a model system wherein the relevant sounds for a behaviorally relevant task are not clear. The pallid bat field/lab studies will contribute to the field of hearing sciences by providing a promising model to address mechanisms of sound localization. These studies will also be useful in management of pallid bats in the south-west by identifying acoustic sensitivity and the effects of typical environmental sounds on their hunting behavior.

Visit #18772 @Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

Approved

Under Project # 20321 | Research

Pallid bat sound localization behavior

faculty - University of California, Riverside

Reservation Members(s)

KHALEEL RAAZAK Aug 6 - 8, 2009 (3 days)
KHALEEL RAAZAK Aug 6 - 8, 2009 (3 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Mayhew housing facilities 2 Aug 6 - 8, 2009