Principles and Patterns of Bat Movements: From Aerodynamics to Ecology

Abstract

Movement ecology as an integrative discipline has advanced associated fields because it presents not only a conceptual framework for understanding movement principles but also helps formulate predictions about the consequences of movements for animals and their environments. Here, we synthesize recent studies on principles and patterns of bat movements in context of the movement ecology paradigm. The motion capacity of bats is defined by their highly articulated, flexible wings. Power production during flight follows a U-shaped curve in relation to speed in bats yet, in contrast to birds, bats use mostly exogenous nutrients for sustained flight. The navigation capacity of most bats is dominated by the echolocation system, yet other sensory modalities, including an iron-based magnetic sense, may contribute to navigation depending on a bat’s familiarity with the terrain. Patterns derived from these capacities relate to antagonistic and mutualistic interactions with food items. The navigation capacity of bats may influence their sociality, in particular, the extent of group foraging based on eavesdropping on conspecifics’ echolocation calls. We infer that understanding the movement ecology of bats within the framework of the movement ecology paradigm provides new insights into ecological processes mediated by bats, from ecosystem services to diseases.

Orientation and flight behaviour identify the Soprano pipistrelle as a migratory bat species at the Baltic Sea coast

“…Indeed, orientation and takeoff direction were similar to that of P. nathusii , a species with known long‐distance migration across Europe. The seasonal occurrence of P. pygmaeus at our study site in conjunction with orientation towards the south in departing individuals identifies P. pygmaeus as a migratory species, at least for its north‐eastern distribution range (Voigt et al ., , ). Using our novel experimental setup, called the circular release box (CRBox), we here showed (1) initial movements of bats are goal‐oriented on the level of takeoff, that (2) orientations are biologically meaningful, and that (3) the principal methodology enables comparison of different measures between species.…”

Species distribution modelling supports “nectar corridor” hypothesis for migratory nectarivorous bats and conservation of tropical dry forest

“…Most mass mortality events of bats are attributable to human activity, and migratory bats may be particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances (O'Shea, Cryan, Hayman, Plowright, & Streicker, ). Humans can disrupt bat migration in many ways, such as by interfering with magnetic navigation (Lennox et al, ; Voigt et al, ), increasing light pollution (Lacoeuilhe, Machon, Julien, Bocq, & Kerbiriou, ), developing wind farms along migration corridors (Cryan & Brown, ; Hayes, Ozenberger, Cryan, & Wunder, ; Santos, Rodrigues, Jones, & Rebelo, ), reducing food availability through deforestation (Trejo & Dirzo, ), overharvesting nectar resources (Nabhan & Fleming, ) and implementing land management practices that result in the degradation of food sources (Martin, Peters, Palmer, & Illsley, ; Martinez‐Morales & Meyer, ; Russo, Bosso, & Ancillotto, ). In order to mitigate threats to migratory bats, a better understanding of their overall and seasonal distribution is necessary.…”

Unacknowledged Potential Factors in Catastrophic Bat Die-off Arising from Coal Fly Ash Geoengineering

“…Bat navigation is dominated by echolocation, but other modalities, including an iron/magnetic sensory system, are essential to the bat's familiarity with the terrain [85]. Recent evidence supports the contention that bats use magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) particles located in their heads for sensing and orientation in the Earth's magnetic field [86].…”