Meeting Abstract

47.4  Wednesday, Jan. 5  Flight formation and group behavior in the highly gregarious Brazilian free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis HRISTOV, N.I.*; HEDRICK, T.L.; ALLEN, L.C.; CHADWELL, B.; KUNZ, T.H.; BREUER, K.S.; SWARTZ, S.M.; Center for Design Innovation / Winston-Salem State University; University of North Carlolina, Chapel Hill; Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC; Guildford College, Greensboro, NC; Boston University, MA; Brown University, Providence, RI; Brown University, Providence, RI nickolay.hristov@centerfordesigninnovation.org

The collective behavior of large groups of organisms continues to fascinate and inspire scientific inquiry. Recent work on insects, fish, birds and terrestrial mammals has shown that a variety of sensory modalities and mechanisms can be responsible for the structure and maintenance of animal groups. Although bats represent an attractive model for the study of group behavior, currently, little is known about the structure and control mechanisms of their flight assemblages. We present the first such data using the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) as a model. The emergence of a large colony of free-tailed bats was recorded using an array of time-synchronized and spacially-calibrated, high-speed thermal cameras and the bats’ three-dimensional trajectories were reconstructed as a function of emergence rate and ambient light conditions. Our results indicate a significant effect of these two variables on the structure and pattern of movement of individuals in the flight column. Additionally we present a likely mechanism used by the bats to form their collective assemblages. Such information is important for further understanding group behavior in bats and other colonial organisms.