The ethology of the Malayan false vampire bat (Megaderma spasma), with special emphasis on auditory cues used in foraging

My laboratory studies have revealed the use of two distinct foraging strategies by the echolocating Malayan false vampire bat, Megaderma spasma. When gleaning, bats retrieve prey located upon surfaces. Because both the prey and the surface reflect sound, bats may have difficulty distinguishing echo distortions caused by relatively small prey from sound reflected off of the larger substratum. In contrast, flycatching bats capture flying prey mid-air, where background clutter is minimal. Because these foraging environments impose different restrictions on the use of sensory cues by hunting bats, a primary focus of my work was to determine what cues are used by foraging M. spasma, and their role in generating adaptive behavioral responses.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology, General

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Tyrell, Karen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Salmon, Michael

• Biology, General
• Biology, Ecology
• Biology, Zoology
• Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1990 Tyrell, Karen

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9026338
(UMI)AAI9026338

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23567