Keeping An Ear Out For Kin

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• Bats can distinguish between echolocation of different species and use the ability to their advantage.
• Studies have been done at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen.
• The scientists play different species' echolocation calls through speakers and watch bats' reactions to them.
• They have determined that bats can tell their own species' call from those of other species and then adjust their hunting pattern or area based on their knowledge of the other species' food and hunting methods.

Reflection:

This is almost like how humans can distinguish between people of other areas of the world or cultures by their accents. It is advantageous to us as it gives us background info on people before even getting to know them and tips us on how not to offend them or their culture. It is the same in bats. Bats have changed their calls over time because of selective pressures like environment and prey or predator. The different species hunt different prey usually and can tell where their prey is not by other bats' calls. Both humans and bats can determine their position by the accents of those around them. It must be an advantageous adaptation that has demonstrated coevolution between our two species.

Link:

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/05/19/keeping.ear.out.kin

Citation:

Grief, Stefan. "Keeping an Ear out for Kin | E! Science News." E! Science News | Latest Science News Articles. 19 May 2010. Web. 19 May 2010. .