A sensorimotor model shows why a spectral jamming avoidance response does not help bats deal with jamming

Abstract
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Abstract

For decades, researchers have speculated how echolocating bats deal with masking by conspecific calls when flying in aggregations. To date, only a few attempts have been made to mathematically quantify the probability of jamming, or its effects. We developed a comprehensive sensorimotor predator-prey simulation, modeling numerous bats foraging in proximity. We used this model to examine the effectiveness of a spectral Jamming Avoidance Response (JAR) as a solution for the masking problem. We found that foraging performance deteriorates when bats forage near conspecifics, however, applying a JAR does not improve insect sensing or capture. Because bats constantly adjust their echolocation to the performed task (even when flying alone), further shifting the signals' frequencies does not mitigate jamming. Our simulations explain how bats can hunt successfully in a group despite competition and despite potential masking. This research demonstrates the advantages of a modeling approach when examining a complex biological system.

Data availability

All data generated during this study are included in the manuscript and supporting files. Source code files are uploaded with a Graphical User Interface and a readme file for explanation.

Article and author information

Author details

Omer Mazar

Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

For correspondence
omer_mazar@yahoo.com

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0001-9763-4621
Yossi Yovel

Zoology, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

For correspondence
yossiyovel@gmail.com

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

Funding

Office of Naval Research Global (N62909-16-1-2133-P00003)

Omer Mazar

The funders had no role in study design, data collection, and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

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This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.