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Auditory opportunity and visual constraint enabled the evolution of echolocation in bats.
Jeneni Thiagavel1, Clément Cechetto2, Sharlene E Santana3
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada.
Nature Communications
|January 10, 2018
Summary
The common ancestor of bats likely evolved echolocation over vision due to small eyes, enabling nocturnal flight. This ancient sensory trade-off between vision and echolocation is still evident in modern bats.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Sensory biology
- Paleontology
Background:
- Bats' nocturnal lifestyle and flight capabilities suggest an evolutionary transition from vision-reliant ancestors.
- Understanding the sensory and biomechanical adaptations for echolocation is key to bat evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anatomical constraints and opportunities that favored echolocation over vision in the common ancestor of bats.
- To explore the persistent evolutionary trade-offs between vision and echolocation in extant bat species.
Main Methods:
- Comparative anatomical analysis of eye size and auditory brain structures in bats.
- Correlation of eye size with biosonar sophistication in predatory bats.
- Examination of sensory foundations in non-echolocating pteropodid bats.
Main Results:
- The common ancestor of bats possessed eyes too small for effective nocturnal insect hunting but had an auditory system suited for echolocation.
- A negative correlation exists between eye size and echolocation sophistication in extant predatory bats.
- Non-echolocating pteropodid bats may retain ancestral traits conducive to biosonar development.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of bat flight and echolocation was driven by adaptations favoring sonar over vision for nocturnal activity.
- Vestiges of the vision-echolocation trade-off are observable in modern bat sensory systems.
- Further research into pteropodid bats could illuminate the evolutionary pathways to biosonar.
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