Projekte

1. Acoustic communication during ritualised courtship in the Indian False Vampire Bat, Megaderma lyra

Bioakustik der Kommunikation

Executives: PD Dr. Sabine Schmidt (953-8746), Dipl.-Biol. Anna Bastian

The song flight is a conspicuous flight manoeuvre accompanied by a complex song, which is directed by male M. lyra towards females. Song flights are composed of three parts characterised by distinct flight patterns and song strophes. This behaviour is highly ritualised and may play a role in courtship behaviour and a long-term binding of females. The present project focuses on the behaviour of the female during song flight and its effects on the male song. In particular, we study to which extent the reaction of the female affects the emotional state of the male as reflected in the acoustic prosody of the song.

Status: since April 2011

Support: DFG

Keywords: Bats, social interactions, acoustic communication

2. Acoustic basis for biodiversity: Echolocation, acoustic communication and genetic variability in two morphotypes of the Cuban bat Macrotus waterhousii

Akustische Grundlagen für Biodiversität: Echoortung und akustische Kommunikation zweier Morphotypen der Fledermaus Macrotus waterhousii minor

Executives: PD Dr. Sabine Schmidt (953-8746), Dipl.-Biol. Anna Bastian

This project focuses on speciation processes in bats. In West and East Cuba, two distinct morphotypes of M. waterhousii have been described. The fact that no intermediate forms were known from the contact zone has led to the assumption that reproduction barriers separate the two morphs. Acoustic information is essential for orientation, food acquisition and communication in bats. On the one hand, echolocation call structure reflects microhabitat use, on the other hand, acoustic communication may constitute an isolation mechanism. We study echolocation and acoustic communication as driving forces for speciation in field and laboratory experiments. In addition, we sequence two mitochondrial markers to compare the genetic variability of M. waterhousii across Cuba.

Status: since January 2008

Funding: Bayer Health Care and own resources

Cooperation partners: Dr. E. Mora, Facultad de Biologia, Universidad de La Habana, Cuba

Keywords: Bats, echolocation, acoustic communication, biodiversity, speciation

3. Evaluation of social calls in the Indian False Vampire bat, Megaderma lyra

Bewertung von Sozialrufen durch den Indischen Falschen Vampir, Megaderma lyra

Executives: PD Dr. Sabine Schmidt (953-8746), Dipl.-Biol. Hanna Kastein

Bats are nocturnal mammals which rely on acoustic information for their social organisation. Thus they are interesting models for comparative studies on the evolution of vocal communication. M. lyra has a rich repertoire of social calls which are used in specific behavioural contexts. In addition, social calls carry individual signatures and provide affect cues. The present project focuses on the categorisation of social calls by M. lyra in spontaneous, and habituation-dishabituation, playback experiments which allow to study reactions in the absence of visual displays. We analyse the evaluation of social calls on different levels, e.g. for different call types, or different affective contents within a call type. Furthermore, the approach is used to disclose a recognition of novelty, group identity and individuality by this species.

Status: since August 2004

Funding: DFG

Cooperation partners: Prof. Dr. K. Sripathi, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, India

Dr. W.B. Yapa, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Keywords:

Bats, acoustic communication, call recognition, call evaluation