Ear Movements in a Hipposiderid Bat

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Publication Date

January 1970

Abstract

High-speed photography and an acoustic doppler method have shown that rapid ear movements of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum are closely correlated to the production of the constant frequency signals used for echolocation. In addition to independent “searching” movements, the pinnae make alternating movements with an excursion of up to 1 cm at the tip, thus describing an arc of about 30°. The simultaneous movements (forwards by one ear, backwards by the other) may take less than 20 ms and are generally associated with the emission of one ultrasonic pulse through the nose-leaf. The one to one correspondence is not always exact but is seldom much in error even at the highest recorded pulse repetition rates of up to 60–80 pulses/s.

Keywords

Ear Movements, Hipposiderid Bat, HIGH-SPEED Photography, Acoustic Doppler Method, Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum

Document Type

Article

Notes

nature, Vol. 225 (1970-01-17).

Identifier

SFS0072515_00001

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