Echolocation and Adaptivity to Ecological Constraints

Abstract

Bats emit echolocation signals which vary in duration, frequency range and time course. In many species the structure of the echolocation signals is only altered within narrow limits, whereas in other species sounds emitted in open air may be entirely different from those produced in confined areas. In echolocation research a basic hypothesis claims that different structures of the echolocation sounds result from adaptations of the echolocation system to specific foragig areas. This contention has so far not been proved even though countless casual observations and an increasing number of profound field studies exist on the foraging behavior of echolocating bats.