News and research highlights from the group "Acoustic and Functional Ecology"

Each moth escapes its own way

Species-specific escape strategies of moths make hunting difficult for bats more

Hearing in 3D

Hearing in 3D

April 23, 2019

In order to recognize spatial structures, bat echolocation uses similar cues as our sense of sight more

Being all ear: Greater Horseshoe bats use multiple streams of acoustic information simultaneously

Bats do not only use the information of their echolocation calls for foraging but may also simultaneously analyse acoustic signals from their potential prey. Researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen found that Greater Horseshoe bats use such combined acoustic stimuli to considerably extend the limited reach of their echolocation calls. more

How barbastelle bats trick moths that are able to hear their echolocation calls

In the evolutionary arms race between bats and their insect prey, some moths have developed ears to detect echolocating bats and avoid being caught. Conversely, barbastelle bats are known to counter moth hearing by using quiet, 'stealthy' calls to search for prey in the dark. Recording the hunting behaviour of this intriguing species, researchers have now found that barbastelle bats sneak up on unsuspecting moths by gradually emitting even fainter calls as they come closer. more

No silent night

No silent night

January 04, 2016

Bats adapt their echolocation calls to noise more

Hands off – please

Hands off – please

November 26, 2013

Friendly information signs reduce vandalism on scientific equipment more

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