Using sounds for making decisions: greater tube-nosed bats prefer antagonistic calls over non-communicative sounds when feeding

Abstract

Bats vocalize extensively within different social contexts. The type and extent of information conveyed via their vocalizations and their perceptual significance, however, remains controversial and difficult to assess. Greater tube-nosed bats, Murina leucogaster, emit calls consisting of long rectangular broadband noise burst (rBNBl) syllables during aggression between males. To experimentally test the behavioral impact of these sounds for feeding, we deployed an approach and place-preference paradigm. Two food trays were placed on opposite sides and within different acoustic microenvironments, created by sound playback, within a specially constructed tent. Specifically, we tested whether the presence of rBNBl sounds at a food source effectively deters the approach of male bats in comparison to echolocation sounds and white noise. In each case, contrary to our expectation, males preferred to feed at a location where rBNBl sounds were present. We propose that the species-specific rBNBl provides contextual information, not present within non-communicative sounds, to facilitate approach towards a food source.

Mutual mother‐pup acoustic identification in Asian particolored bats

“…bats choosing kin and non-kin mother echolocation pulse directions, and compared the differences with random classification probabilities using exact binomial tests (Jiang et al, 2016). The analysis of results showed whether bidirectional recognition between mothers and infants can be achieved by acoustic signals.…”

“…The significance of classification success was compared with chance classification using a binomial test. We observed the video, recorded the frequency of bats choosing kin and non‐kin mother echolocation pulse directions, and compared the differences with random classification probabilities using exact binomial tests (Jiang et al, 2016). The analysis of results showed whether bidirectional recognition between mothers and infants can be achieved by acoustic signals.…”