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Landing manoeuvres predict roost-site preferences in bats
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  • Gloriana Chaverri,
  • Marcelo Araya-Salas,
  • Jose Pablo Barrantes,
  • Tere Uribe-Etxebarria,
  • Marcela Peña-Acuña,
  • Angie Varela,
  • Joxerra Aihartza
Gloriana Chaverri
Universidad de Costa Rica

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Marcelo Araya-Salas
Universidad de Costa Rica
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Jose Pablo Barrantes
Universidad de Costa Rica
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Tere Uribe-Etxebarria
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Marcela Peña-Acuña
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Angie Varela
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Joxerra Aihartza
University of the Basque Country - Bizkaia Campus
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Abstract

Roosts are vital for the survival of many species, and how individuals choose one site over another is affected by various ecological factors. Biomechanical constraints could also affect roost selection, particularly in volant taxa that require sites with easy access, thereby reducing costs (i.e., predation, accidents). To date, no studies have established an association between landing performance and roost-site selection, as predicted by biomechanical constraints associated with flight. We aim to determine roost-site selection in disc-winged bats (Thyroptera tricolor), a species known to roost within developing tubular leaves. This study is coupled with various experiments that measure how a conspicuous apex affects landing tactics and performance. We show that T. tricolor prefers leaves with a longer apex, the space typically used for landing. Bats also approach and enter these leaves more consistently, increasing task performance while reducing the risk of injuries.
01 Nov 2022Published in Journal of Experimental Biology volume 225 issue 21. 10.1242/jeb.244267