TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial variation in the echolocation calls of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
AU - Veselka, N.
AU - McGuire, L. P.
AU - Dzal, Y. A.
AU - Hooton, L. A.
AU - Fenton, M. B.
PY - 2013/8
Y1 - 2013/8
N2 - We studied spatial variation in echolocation call structure of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus (LeConte, 1831)) by analysing calls recorded from free-flying individuals at 1 site in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 1 site in Chautaqua, New York, and 20 sites along the Hudson River, New York. We controlled for factors that are often thought to lead to interspecific variation in echolocation calls (habitat, ontogeny, presence of conspecifics, recording techniques, ambient conditions), which allowed us to focus on the effect of spatial scale on call structure. As predicted, we found that at small scales (up to 1 km), there was significant geographic variation, likely owing to roost-specific signatures and group foraging activities. At intermediate scales (2-500 km), we found no differences in call structure, suggesting that populations within this area are part of a single hibernating and breeding population. Finally, echolocation call structure differed at the continental scale (>1000 km) likely because of little genetic exchange among sampled populations. Our results highlight the importance of considering the magnitude of spatial scale when examining variation in echolocation call structure.
AB - We studied spatial variation in echolocation call structure of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus (LeConte, 1831)) by analysing calls recorded from free-flying individuals at 1 site in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 1 site in Chautaqua, New York, and 20 sites along the Hudson River, New York. We controlled for factors that are often thought to lead to interspecific variation in echolocation calls (habitat, ontogeny, presence of conspecifics, recording techniques, ambient conditions), which allowed us to focus on the effect of spatial scale on call structure. As predicted, we found that at small scales (up to 1 km), there was significant geographic variation, likely owing to roost-specific signatures and group foraging activities. At intermediate scales (2-500 km), we found no differences in call structure, suggesting that populations within this area are part of a single hibernating and breeding population. Finally, echolocation call structure differed at the continental scale (>1000 km) likely because of little genetic exchange among sampled populations. Our results highlight the importance of considering the magnitude of spatial scale when examining variation in echolocation call structure.
KW - Call structure
KW - Echolocation
KW - Geographic
KW - Little brown bat
KW - Myotis lucifugus
KW - Spatial
KW - Variation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84886473456&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1139/cjz-2013-0094
DO - 10.1139/cjz-2013-0094
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84886473456
SN - 0008-4301
VL - 91
SP - 795
EP - 801
JO - Canadian Journal of Zoology
JF - Canadian Journal of Zoology
IS - 11
ER -