Cited by 75Bat Biology and Ecology StudiesWildlife Ecology and ConservationMarine animal studies overview

Global warming alters sound transmission: differential impact on the prey detection ability of echolocating bats

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Luo, Jinhong, Koselj, Klemen, Zsebők, Sándor, Siemers, Björn M., Goerlitz, Holger R.·2014·Journal of The Royal Society Interface

Abstract

Climate change impacts the biogeography and phenology of plants and animals, yet the underlying mechanisms are little known. Here, we present a functional link between rising temperature and the prey detection ability of echolocating bats. The maximum distance for echo-based prey detection is physically determined by sound attenuation. Attenuation is more pronounced for high-frequency sound, such as echolocation, and is a nonlinear function of both call frequency and ambient temperature. Hence, the prey detection ability, and thus possibly the foraging efficiency, of echolocating bats and susceptible to rising temperatures through climate change. Using present-day climate data and projected temperature rises, we modelled this effect for the entire range of bat call frequencies and climate zones around the globe. We show that depending on call frequency, the prey detection volume of bats will either decrease or increase: species calling above a crossover frequency will lose and species emitting lower frequencies will gain prey detection volume, with crossover frequency and magnitude depending on the local climatic conditions. Within local species assemblages, this may cause a change in community composition. Global warming can thus directly affect the prey detection ability of individual bats and indirectly their interspecific interactions with competitors and prey.

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Crossref · 10.1098/rsif.2013.0961

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  • Climate change alters not only species distributions but also the physics of sound propagation, reshaping communication networks and predator-prey dynamics.

    “climate change alters not only species distributions but also the physics of sound propagation, reshaping communication networks and predator–prey dynamics”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [26]Holland RA, Meyer CFJ, Kalko EKV, Kays R, Wikelski M. 2011. Emergence time and foraging activity in Pallas’ mastiff bat, Molossus molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in relation to sunset/sunrise and phase of the moon. Acta Chiropt. 13, 399–404. ( 10.3161/150811011x624875) [DOI] [Google Scholar] · DOI

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Authors
Luo, J., Koselj, K., Zsebők, S., Siemers, B. M., & Goerlitz, H. R.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Society (DE)
  • Eötvös Loránd University (HU)
Corresponding author
Goerlitz, Holger R.
Venue
Journal of The Royal Society Interface
Published
2014-02-06
Volume
11
Issue
91
Pages
20130961
ISSN
  • 1742-5662 (ISSN-L)
  • 1742-5689
OpenAlex
W2098177368
Cited by
75
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1
FWCI
2.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of The Royal Society Interface (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
Keywords
global warming, climate change, echolocating bats, acoustic attenuation, prey detection, crossover frequency, foraging efficiency, species interactions, community composition
MeSH terms
Animals, Chiroptera, Climate, Echolocation, Ecology, Flight, Animal, Germany, Predatory Behavior, Temperature, Time Factors, Biodiversity, Global Warming

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