Bat airframe design: flight performance, stability and control in relation to foraging ecology

Bullen, R. D.; McKenzie, N. L.

doi:10.1071/zo00037

Cited by 72 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Insectivorous bats are a diverse group of mammals whose morphological traits, including body size and wing shape, often influence the use of different vegetation structures [11][12][13][14][15][16]. In particular, one ensemble of bats, narrow-space bats [17], that possess specialised traits favouring slow, manoeuvrable flight within vegetation clutter, particularly in forests, is considered especially prone to extinction [18,19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Thinning Homogenous and Dense Regrowth Benefit Bats? Radio-Tracking, Ultrasonic Detection and Trapping

et al. 2018

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Abstract:Renewal ecology promotes the creation and enhancement of landscapes that support biodiversity and ecosystem services for humans. Silvicultural thinning of forest regrowth to reduce tree competition represents a form of active management that may also benefit biodiversity, especially where secondary regrowth dominates. However, ecological responses to thinning can be complex, particularly for insectivorous bats whose ecomorphology is often related to vegetation structure. Furthermore, thinning may affect multiple aspects of bat ecology (i.e., roosting and foraging). We assessed this in dense white cypress regrowth in the Pilliga forests of New South Wales, Australia, where recent experimental thinning created thinned stands (4 × 12 ha) surrounded by unthinned regrowth. We contrasted flight activity and roost selection of three narrow-space species with differing conservation statuses (Nyctophilus corbeni, N. gouldi and N. geoffroyi), plus one edge-space species (Vespadelus vulturnus). Radio-tracking over two maternity seasons revealed a preference by all species for roosting in dead trees that were slightly larger than the mean for available dead trees in the vicinity. Although all tagged bats were caught in thinned patches, only 6% of roosts were located there. In contrast, ultrasonic detectors recorded significantly greater activity for V. vulturnus (p = 0.05) in thinned than unthinned patches and no treatment difference for Nyctophilus spp. Systematic trapping using acoustic lures found a higher trap rate for N. gouldi in unthinned than thinned treatments, but no treatment effect for N. corbeni, N. geoffroyi and V. vulturnus. Our results reveal differential use of forest treatments by multiple species, emphasising the value of heterogeneous landscapes supporting thinned and unthinned patches of dense regrowth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Thinning Homogenous and Dense Regrowth Benefit Bats? Radio-Tracking, Ultrasonic Detection and Trapping

et al. 2018

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“…This preference might be explained by S. greyii and S. balstoni flight patterns. Both species are agile, slow fliers 27 and tend to forage in cluttered habitats under the tree canopy, 1 which presumably partially reflects their roost selection. However, the location of roosts can also affect the thermoregulatory behavior of bats.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to keep cool in a hot desert: Torpor in two species of free-ranging bats in summer

2016

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Small insectivorous tree-roosting bats are among the most taxonomically diverse group of mammals in Australia's desert, yet little is known about their thermal physiology, torpor patterns and roosting ecology, especially during summer. We used temperature-telemetry to quantify and compare thermal biology and roost selection by broad-nosed bats Scotorepens greyii (6.3 g; n = 11) and Scotorepens balstoni (9.9 g; n = 5) in Sturt National Park (NSW Australia) over 3 summers (2010–13). Both vespertilionids used torpor often and the total time bats spent torpid was ∼7 h per day. Bats rewarmed using entirely passive rewarming on 44.8% (S. greyii) and 29.4% (S. balstoni) of all torpor arousals. Both bat species roosted in hollow, cracked dead trees relatively close to the ground (∼3 m) in dense tree stands. Our study shows that torpor and passive rewarming are 2 common and likely crucial survival traits of S. greyii and S. balstoni.

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“…19,20 Their "leading edge flap" also refines the rolling moments to give better control. 2 The size and shape of the morphological components of the wing of Section 2.1 are what determine the degree of maneuverability and agility of a bat's flight. Maneuverability is best achieved in bats that are able to significantly increase lift by markedly increasing the camber of their wings.…”

Section: Correlations Between Morphology and Flight Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…4), acting as a leading edge flap to keep the flow attached at higher angles of attack. 2,17,18 Bats are well regarded for their maneuverability and agility in flight. Here maneuverability is defined as the space required for a bat to turn at a fixed speed, and agility is the maximum roll acceleration that can be achieved to initiate a turn.…”

Section: Morphological Componentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of bat wings for morphing

2008

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The morphing of wings from three different bat species is studied using an extension of the Weissinger method. To understand how camber affects performance factors such as lift and lift to drag ratio, XFOIL is used to study thin (3% thickness to chord ratio) airfoils at a low Reynolds number of 100,000. The maximum camber of 9% yielded the largest lift coefficient, and a mid-range camber of 7% yielded the largest lift to drag ratio. Correlations between bat wing morphology and flight characteristics are covered, and the three bat wing planforms chosen represent various combinations of morphological components and different flight modes. The wings are studied using the extended Weissinger method in an "unmorphed" configuration using a thin, symmetric airfoil across the span of the wing through angles of attack of 0°-15°. The wings are then run in the Weissinger method at angles of attack of -2° to 12° in a "morphed" configuration modeled after bat wings seen in flight, where the camber of the airfoils comprising the wings is varied along the span and a twist distribution along the span is introduced. The morphed wing configurations increase the lift coefficient over 1000% from the unmorphed configuration and increase the lift to drag ratio over 175%. The results of the three different species correlate well with their flight in nature.

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Bat airframe design: flight performance, stability and control in relation to foraging ecology

Cited by 72 publications

References 29 publications

Does Thinning Homogenous and Dense Regrowth Benefit Bats? Radio-Tracking, Ultrasonic Detection and Trapping

Does Thinning Homogenous and Dense Regrowth Benefit Bats? Radio-Tracking, Ultrasonic Detection and Trapping

How to keep cool in a hot desert: Torpor in two species of free-ranging bats in summer

Analysis of bat wings for morphing

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