Commuting fruit bats beneficially modulate their flight in relation to wind

Sapir, Nir; Horvitz, Nir; Dechmann, Dina K. N.; Fahr, Jakob; Wikelski, Martin

doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.0018

Cited by 44 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 47 publications

(115 reference statements)

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“…The adjustments of air speed in response to wind support that we document (figure 2 b and figure 3 a ) are similar to those previously observed for birds, insects and other bats [33], and are consistent with models for optimal orientation to winds [34]. As a result of these adjustments, our analyses indicate that bats maintain similar ground speeds regardless of the strength of wind support (figure 2 a,b ) [33].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…As a result of these adjustments, our analyses indicate that bats maintain similar ground speeds regardless of the strength of wind support (figure 2 a,b ) [33]. The response of bats to winds (figure 3 a ), and the lack of an association between ground speeds and the directions of prevailing winds (figure 3 b ) suggest that tailwinds do not account for the fast ground speeds that we document.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

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Airplane tracking documents the fastest flight speeds recorded for bats

et al. 2016

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The performance capabilities of flying animals reflect the interplay of biomechanical and physiological constraints and evolutionary innovation. Of the two extant groups of vertebrates that are capable of powered flight, birds are thought to fly more efficiently and faster than bats. However, fast-flying bat species that are adapted for flight in open airspace are similar in wing shape and appear to be similar in flight dynamics to fast-flying birds that exploit the same aerial niche. Here, we investigate flight behaviour in seven free-flying Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) and report that the maximum ground speeds achieved exceed speeds previously documented for any bat. Regional wind modelling indicates that bats adjusted flight speeds in response to winds by flying more slowly as wind support increased and flying faster when confronted with crosswinds, as demonstrated for insects, birds and other bats. Increased frequency of pauses in wing beats at faster speeds suggests that flap-gliding assists the bats' rapid flight. Our results suggest that flight performance in bats has been underappreciated and that functional differences in the flight abilities of birds and bats require re-evaluation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Airplane tracking documents the fastest flight speeds recorded for bats

et al. 2016

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“…Furthermore, the effects of habitat and weather on individual movement behavior could be incorporated into path-level analyses using high resolution environmental and climate data [115, 116]. …”

Section: Future Research Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Path segmentation for beginners: an overview of current methods for detecting changes in animal movement patterns

2016

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Increased availability of high-resolution movement data has led to the development of numerous methods for studying changes in animal movement behavior. Path segmentation methods provide basics for detecting movement changes and the behavioral mechanisms driving them. However, available path segmentation methods differ vastly with respect to underlying statistical assumptions and output produced. Consequently, it is currently difficult for researchers new to path segmentation to gain an overview of the different methods, and choose one that is appropriate for their data and research questions. Here, we provide an overview of different methods for segmenting movement paths according to potential changes in underlying behavior. To structure our overview, we outline three broad types of research questions that are commonly addressed through path segmentation: 1) the quantitative description of movement patterns, 2) the detection of significant change-points, and 3) the identification of underlying processes or 'hidden states'. We discuss advantages and limitations of different approaches for addressing these research questions using path-level movement data, and present general guidelines for choosing methods based on data characteristics and questions. Our overview illustrates the large diversity of available path segmentation approaches, highlights the need for studies that compare the utility of different methods, and identifies opportunities for future developments in path-level data analysis.

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“…During inter-thermal gliding, individuals took more risk with increased tailwinds, presumably because ground speed was higher and the probability of reaching the next thermal increased. The finding of frequent risk-prone flight in side winds may be attributed to minimizing the drift resulting from side winds [57,58]. In addition, as expected, higher environmental unpredictability (measured by variance in wind velocity) was associated with more risk-averse flight.…”

Section: (A) Comparison Of Decision-making Proxies Between Movement Pmentioning

confidence: 60%

Decision-making by a soaring bird: time, energy and risk considerations at different spatio-temporal scales

Harel

Duriez

Spiegel

et al. 2016

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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One contribution of 17 to a theme issue 'Moving in a moving medium: new perspectives on flight'. Natural selection theory suggests that mobile animals trade off time, energy and risk costs with food, safety and other pay-offs obtained by movement. We examined how birds make movement decisions by integrating aspects of flight biomechanics, movement ecology and behaviour in a hierarchical framework investigating flight track variation across several spatio-temporal scales. Using extensive global positioning system and accelerometer data from Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Israel and France, we examined soaring-gliding decision-making by comparing inbound versus outbound flights (to or from a central roost, respectively), and these (and other) homerange foraging movements (up to 300 km) versus long-range movements (longer than 300 km). We found that long-range movements and inbound flights have similar features compared with their counterparts: individuals reduced journey time by performing more efficient soaring -gliding flight, reduced energy expenditure by flapping less and were more risk-prone by gliding more steeply between thermals. Age, breeding status, wind conditions and flight altitude (but not sex) affected time and energy prioritization during flights. We therefore suggest that individuals facing time, energy and risk trade-offs during movements make similar decisions across a broad range of ecological contexts and spatial scales, presumably owing to similarity in the uncertainty about movement outcomes.This article is part of the themed issue 'Moving in a moving medium: new perspectives on flight'.

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Commuting fruit bats beneficially modulate their flight in relation to wind

Cited by 44 publications

References 47 publications

Airplane tracking documents the fastest flight speeds recorded for bats

Airplane tracking documents the fastest flight speeds recorded for bats

Path segmentation for beginners: an overview of current methods for detecting changes in animal movement patterns

Decision-making by a soaring bird: time, energy and risk considerations at different spatio-temporal scales

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