Segregating signal from noise through movement in echolocating bats

Area of Science:

• Bioacoustics
• Animal Behavior
• Sensory Ecology

Background:

• Signal-to-noise ratio is a fundamental challenge for biological and engineered sensory systems.
• Echolocating bats face difficulties distinguishing faint insect echoes from loud background clutter.
• Bats' sensory adaptation in echolocation has been extensively studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if bats utilize movement strategies, beyond sensory adaptation, to segregate echoes.
• To understand how bats overcome acoustic challenges posed by echoic backgrounds.

Main Methods:

• Bats were observed responding to an acoustically echoic background.
• The study analyzed changes in bats' angle of attack during target approach.
• Echoes were measured from the bat's perspective to validate findings.

Main Results:

• Bats adjusted their angle of attack to reduce background echo intensity.
• Movement, specifically a smaller angle of attack, was employed instead of altering sensory acquisition.
• This movement strategy effectively minimized interference from the echoic background.

Conclusions:

• Bats employ active movement strategies, such as adjusting their angle of attack, to segregate desired echoes from noise.
• Movement plays a crucial role in active sensing and overcoming sensory challenges in echolocation.
• This study highlights the significance of motor control in enhancing sensory perception.