Protocol for simulating foraging behavior strategy and dual-choice predatory sensory cue experiments in aerial-hawking bats

Lixin Gong; Yang Geng; Zhiqiang Wang; Aiqing Lin; Hui Wu; Jiang Feng; Tinglei Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102494

Protocol for simulating foraging behavior strategy and dual-choice predatory sensory cue experiments in aerial-hawking bats

STAR Protoc. 2023 Sep 15;4(3):102494. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102494. Epub 2023 Aug 6.

Authors

Lixin Gong¹, Yang Geng¹, Zhiqiang Wang¹, Aiqing Lin¹, Hui Wu², Jiang Feng³, Tinglei Jiang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
² College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
³ Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China. Electronic address: fengj@nenu.edu.cn.
⁴ Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China; Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology of Education Ministry, Institute of Grassland Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China; Jilin Songnen Grassland Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China. Electronic address: jiangtl730@nenu.edu.cn.

Abstract

The nocturnal and cryptic nature of bats makes it difficult to determine their foraging behavior and predatory sensory cues. Here, we present a protocol for determining the behavioral strategies and sensory cues of bat predation on airborne prey. We describe steps for indoor foraging behavior simulation, dual-choice acoustic playback, and visual presentation experiments. This protocol was used to study the avivorous bat, Ia io, but it can be adapted for studying other aerial-hawking bats and even other taxa. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Gong et al. (2022).¹.

Keywords: Behavior; Cognitive Neuroscience; Evolutionary Biology; Model Organisms.

MeSH terms

Animals
Chiroptera*
Cues
Predatory Behavior*