Spatial attention in natural tasks [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior
• Bioacoustics

Background:

• Neural dynamics of spatial attention are poorly understood in freely behaving animals.
• Lack of reliable attention indicators in standard model organisms limits research.
• Echolocating bats exhibit overt, dynamic behavioral indicators of spatial attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To leverage echolocating bats as a model for studying fine-scale neural dynamics of spatial attention.
• To establish explicit metrics of auditory spatial attention in 3D natural tasks using bat echolocation.
• To uncover general principles of neural coding in the mammalian brain.

Main Methods:

• Observing bats' natural exploratory behaviors.
• Analyzing sonar beam aim for directional attention.
• Measuring temporal features of echolocation calls for range-based attention.
• Developing metrics of acoustic gaze.

Main Results:

• Bats actively shift sonar beam aim, analogous to visual foveation.
• Temporal call features provide a metric for attention along the range axis.
• Echolocation call features serve as explicit metrics of overt spatial attention.

Conclusions:

• Echolocating bats provide a powerful model for studying neural correlates of spatial attention.
• Acoustic gaze metrics in bats offer novel insights into attention mechanisms.
• This approach can advance understanding of neural coding in mammals.