Auditory communication processing in bats: What we know and where to go.

Abstract

Bats are the second largest mammalian order, with over 1,300 species. These animals show diverse behaviors, diets, and habitats. Most bats produce ultrasonic vocalizations and perceive their environment by processing information carried by returning echoes of their calls. Echolocation is achieved through a sophisticated audio-vocal system that allows bats to emit and detect frequencies that can range from ten to hundreds of kilohertz. In addition, most bat species are gregarious, and produce social communication calls that vary in complexity, form, and function across species. In this article, we (a) highlight the value of bats as model species for research on social communication, (b) review behavioral and neurophysiological studies of bat acoustic communication signal production and processing, and (c) discuss important directions for future research in this field. We propose that comparative studies of bat acoustic communication can provide new insights into sound processing and vocal learning across the animal kingdom.

Neural oscillations in the fronto-striatal network predict vocal output in bats

“…Overall, the observed electrophysiological effects during communication call production need to be considered cautiously. Bats produce communication calls in numerous situations such as, e.g., distress calling, courtship, and territorial disputes, among others [44,45]. The most common way to parse communication calls into different subcategories is to score the behavior/context during which the calls are produced [59,71,72].…”

“…As bats heavily depend on their ability to vocalize in order to communicate and orient in the environment, they serve as a good animal model for studying the neural underpinnings of hearing and vocal production. Bat calls can be broadly split into two types of outputs, including echolocation pulses and communication calls such as distress and social calls (here classified as echolocation pulses versus communication calls) [44,45]. At the level of the brainstem, it is has been demonstrated that the two types of vocal outputs are distinctly controlled [46,47].…”

Convergent and divergent neural circuit architectures that support acoustic communication

“…Stimulating the CeA evokes agonistic vocalizations (Ma and Kanwal, 2014 ) and social calls evoke neural activity (Naumann and Kanwal, 2011 ). Components of the neural circuitry supporting acoustic communication are also responsive to affective and reproductive states (Salles et al, 2019 ). The distribution of oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic neurons has been mapped (Rao and Kanwal, 2004 ) and includes forebrain nuclei, such as the CeA.…”

Introduction to the special issue on neuroethology.

“…Bats not only echolocate but also use acoustic signals for social communication. Salles, Bohn, and Moss (2019) review the behavioral and neurophysiological literature on acoustic communication in different bat species. Most bats live in social groups and use sounds to communicate distress, stress, and aggressive intent.…”