Functional differences in echolocation call design in an adaptive radiation of bats

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Bioacoustics
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Bats utilize echolocation for navigation and foraging, yet factors shaping call diversity in neotropical leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) remain poorly understood.
• Phyllostomid bats' low-intensity calls and dense forest habitats limit their acoustic survey representation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how ecological factors, phylogeny, and body size influence echolocation call diversity in Phyllostomidae.
• To test if echolocation call design is specialized for different diets and to estimate minimum detectable prey size (MDPSE).

Main Methods:

• Collected echolocation call data from 35 Phyllostomid species across all dietary guilds.
• Analyzed call data within a phylogenetic framework, incorporating body size and dietary guilds.
• Calculated theoretical MDPSE to link call parameters with foraging ecology.

Main Results:

• Phylogeny and body size significantly explain echolocation call parameter diversity.
• Call parameters accurately assigned species to taxonomic (61%) and functional (77%) dietary guilds.
• Theoretical MDPSE varied across diets, being highest for omnivores and lowest for insectivores.

Conclusions:

• Echolocation call structure in Phyllostomidae is shaped by both phylogeny and body size.
• Acoustic specialization for dense habitats appears primary, with secondary specialization for diet.
• Findings offer insights into sensory system diversity and resource use reciprocity.