Mechanisms of Target Discrimination by the Echolocating Bat, Vampyrum Spectrum

Author

Jack Winningham Bradbury

Date of Award

1968

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

RU Laboratory

Bronk Laboratory

Abstract

Five specimens, of the neotropical false-vampire bat, Vampyrum spectrum, were studied in an attempt to decide whether they were capable of discriminating between targets of differing shapes and sizes using echolocation alone. The study commenced with the demonstration that the bats could capture live mice, items similar to their normal prey, without recourse to visual or olfactory cues. The subsequent use of dead mice in place of live ones indicated that target identification was much more difficult for the bats when the mice were not moving, but could still be effected by some of them.

Comments

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of The Rockefeller University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Recommended Citation

Bradbury, Jack Winningham, "Mechanisms of Target Discrimination by the Echolocating Bat, Vampyrum Spectrum" (1968). Student Theses and Dissertations. 562.
https://digitalcommons.rockefeller.edu/student_theses_and_dissertations/562