Task-dependent vocal adjustments to optimize biosonar-based information acquisition

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Sensory Ecology
• Bioacoustics

Background:

• Animals must balance information acquisition costs with movement needs.
• Echolocating animals offer insights into adaptive sensing due to direct signal control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how bats adapt echolocation information acquisition based on specific tasks.
• To understand the flexibility in sensory-motor planning for dynamic environments.

Main Methods:

• Recorded echolocation signals from wild Western barbastelle bats (Barbastella barbastellus).
• Observed bats during various tasks: flying through openings, drinking, landing, and capturing prey.

Main Results:

• Echolocation signal sequences varied significantly with task difficulty.
• Bats initiated target approach earlier and increased information update rates for more demanding tasks.
• Adjustments in call duration and peak frequency were task-dependent and present from the start of object approach.

Conclusions:

• Bats exhibit high behavioral flexibility in adjusting acoustic information flow.
• Sensory-motor programs for navigation are planned based on received echo information.
• Adaptive sensing is crucial for animals navigating complex, dynamic environments.