Abstract
Echolocating bats may be able to manipulate the acoustic projection pattern of their sonar pulse emissions, but the mechanism(s) for this and potential constraints are unexplored. The Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) appears to achieve this by finely adjusting the shape of its mouth cavity (beam-forming) in a behavior akin to supralaryngeal speech motor control by humans. Flying Tadarida raise their nose and lips preceding each echolocation pulse with a hypertrophied set of specialized facial muscles (levator labii complex). We investigated 1) muscle complex activity patterns during sonar performance, 2) whether the muscles tissue displayed necessary fast-twitch specializations to accommodate echolocation, and 3) how manipulations of mouth shape altered 3D beam patterns. First, EMG recordings from awake echolocating bats confirmed the muscles were activated in precise temporal coordination with pulse emissions. Second, we describe the anatomical connectivity of the muscle complex, origin an...
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
