Temporal Feasibility Constraints on Wingbeat-Call Synchrony in Actively Echolocating Bats

Area of Science:

• Bioacoustics
• Neuroethology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Bats use echolocation for navigation and hunting.
• Coordination between wingbeats and echolocation calls is crucial but limited by temporal constraints.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a framework for understanding temporal feasibility limits on bat wingbeat-call coordination.
• To identify conditions under which phase-locking becomes infeasible during prey approach.

Main Methods:

• Developed a constraint-based framework for temporal feasibility.
• Conducted simulations with varying motor-control configurations (fixed, dynamic frequency/excursion).
• Analyzed transitions from synchrony to asynchrony based on acoustic delay and call rate.

Main Results:

• Phase-locking becomes infeasible as acoustic delay decreases and call rate increases.
• Increased motor flexibility extends the range of feasible synchrony but does not remove the boundary.
• Asynchronous phases cluster near the feasibility boundary, consistent with empirical observations.

Conclusions:

• Temporal feasibility, not just behavioral strategy, governs echolocation coordination.
• Apparent closed-loop coordination can emerge without strict motor coupling.
• Predicts specific conditions for the breakdown of wingbeat-call synchrony during prey capture.