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Related Concept Videos

Echo01:06

Echo

The human ear cannot distinguish between two sources of sound if they happen to reach within a specific time interval, typically 0.1 seconds apart. More than this, and they are perceived as separate sources.
Imagine the sound is reflected back to the ears. Assuming that the source is very close to the human, the difference between hearing the two sounds—the emitted sound and the reflected sound—may be more than the minimum time for perceiving distinct sounds. If this is the case, then the...
Convergent Evolution01:54

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Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...
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Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
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The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency and the pressure amplitude of the source. Two sounds of the same frequency...
Sound Waves: Interference00:53

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Sound waves can be modeled either as longitudinal waves, wherein the molecules of the medium oscillate around an equilibrium position, or as pressure waves. When two identical waves from the same source superimpose on each other, the combination of two crests or two troughs results in amplitude reinforcement known as constructive interference. If two identical waves, that are initially in phase, become out of phase because of different path lengths, the combination of crests with troughs...

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Flying in silence: Echolocating bats cease vocalizing to avoid sonar jamming.

Chen Chiu1, Wei Xian, Cynthia F Moss

  • 1Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|August 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Echolocating bats employ silence as a strategy to avoid jamming from other bats

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Area of Science:

  • Animal Behavior
  • Bioacoustics
  • Neuroethology

Background:

  • Echolocating bats face acoustic interference (jamming) from conspecifics.
  • Previous research focused on signal adjustments to minimize interference.
  • A novel strategy of behavioral silence in bats has not been previously explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate alternative strategies bats use to mitigate acoustic interference.
  • To quantify the prevalence and conditions of silent behavior in echolocating bats.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative study of flight and vocal behavior in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus).
  • Analysis of vocalization patterns and spatial separation between paired bats.
  • Correlation of silent behavior with factors like distance, direction, and call similarity.

Main Results:

  • Bats exhibit significant silent periods when flying in close proximity (<1 m) to conspecifics (up to 76% of the time).
  • Silent behavior was rare (0.08%) when bats flew alone.
  • Prevalence of silence correlated with spatial separation, heading direction, and call design similarity.

Conclusions:

  • Bats utilize behavioral silence as a strategy to avoid sonar jamming.
  • This allows bats to passively listen to conspecifics for orientation.
  • Findings suggest bats switch between active echolocation and passive listening in complex acoustic environments.