Do the evolutionary interactions between moths and bats promote niche partitioning between bats and birds?

Abstract

If and how dietary partitioning occurs among co-occurring nocturnal insectivorous birds and bats is less clear, but by identifying the processes that promote the coexistence of aerial insectivores, we can better predict future community dynamics.Interactions between bats and moths provide a model system for studying the evolution of predator-prey relationships (Hofstede & Ratcliffe, 2016;Waters, 2003). Prey capture by bats is often dependent on echolocation behavior and how insects respond (Fenton & Fullard, 1979). Moths with ultrasound-sensitive ears can hear echolocation calls at distances up to 100 m (e.g., noctuids; Miller & Surlykke, 2001) and avoid predation through evasive maneuvers or sounds (Dunning et al., 1996). This adaptation arose independently in moths at least six times (Hofstede & Ratcliffe, 2016). In turn, some bats echolocate at low intensities or high enough frequencies to go undetected by moths (Faure et al., 1990;Hofstede & Ratcliffe, 2016).