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Individual signatures in the frequency-modulated sweep calls of African large-eared, free-tailed bats Otomops martiensseni (Chiroptera: Molossidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 December 2003

M. B. Fenton
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, York University, North York, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
D. S. Jacobs
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
E. J. Richardson
Affiliation:
52 Bowen Avenue, Glenmore, Durban, 4001 South Africa
P. J. Taylor
Affiliation:
Durban Natural Science Museum, P.O. Box 4085, Durban, South Africa
W. White
Affiliation:
13 Bunting Place, Amanzimtoti, 4126, South Africa
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Abstract

Frequency-modulated sweep calls of Otomops martiensseni were recorded from individuals as they emerged from nine different building roosts near Durban, South Africa. Multiple analyses of call features, including duration (ms), lowest frequency (kHz), highest frequency (kHz) and frequency with most energy (kHz), indicated significant inter-individual variation. Discriminant function analysis of call features correctly classified the calls of individuals from four roosts > 70% on 19 of 28 times. Although other species of molossids (Chaerephon pumilus, Tadarida aegyptiaca, and one unidentified species) produced social calls as well as frequency-modulated sweep calls, O. martiensseni produced just the latter vocalizations and they were longer and lower in frequency than those of the sympatric molossids. Other species of molossids, but not O. martiensseni, produced feeding buzzes as they attacked flying insects. The frequency-modulated sweep calls of O. martiensseni seem to serve a communication function, but they may not be used in echolocation unlike similar calls by other molossids. Individually distinct communication signals (frequency-modulated sweep calls) enhance communication in a species that lives in year-round social groups (one adult male, females and dependent young).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2004 The Zoological Society of London

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