The Neural basis of Complex Spatial, Social and Acoustic Behaviors – in Freely Behaving and Flying Bats

Abstract

Research in our lab focused on the neural mechanisms of three main behavioral functions: (i) complex spatial navigation, (2) acoustic communication and (3) group social behaviors. To do so, we utilize an unusual model system, the bat, that offers several advantages.For the study of complex spatial navigation, we utilize bats because they are one of the most exquisite navigators on the planet and the only mammal capable of self‐propelled flight. We developed a human‐free, fully automated experimental setup where we discovered a temporally dissociated code for the representation of space and time in the hippocampus of flying bats. Furthermore, we developed a host of novel technologies, such as wireless calcium imaging in freely flying bats, which enables studying the stability of hippocampal codes in bats for the very first time.For the study of acoustic communication, we utilize bats because they are vocal experts and are one of the only mammals that are believed to acquire their vocalizations through an active learning process. If correct, this would be incredibly important because vocal learning has yet to be rigorously studied in the mammalian brain. Using advanced anatomical mapping methods and in combination with wireless neurophysiological approaches and behavioral monitoring systems we able to study this complex behavior in a detailed manner.Finally, for the study of group social behavior, we build on the fact bats are highly social, long‐lived, mammals that spend their entire life in group social living. We established technologies for multi‐animal wireless neurophysiological approaches that provided us a unique opportunity to study the neural computations underlying group social behavior. Through a series of studies, we uncovered an incredibly rich repertoire of neural representations for group social interactions in bats. These included the representation of social information both within and across the brains of socially interacting individuals as well as a unique representation of individual identity and social relationships between group members during communication.