Sensory and Cognitive Ecology of Bats

We see stunning morphological diversity across the animal world. Less conspicuous but equally fascinating are the sensory and cognitive adaptations that determine animals' interactions with their environments and each other. We discuss the development of the fields of sensory and cognitive ecology and the importance of integrating these fields to understand the evolution of adaptive behaviors. Bats, with their extraordinarily high ecological diversity, are ideal animals for this purpose. An explosion in recent research allows for better understanding of the molecular, genetic, neural, and behavioral bases for sensory ecology and cognition in bats. We give examples of studies that illuminate connections between sensory and cognitive features of information filtering, evolutionary trade-offs in sensory and cognitive processing, and multimodal sensing and integration. By investigating the selective pressures underlying information acquisition, processing, and use in bats, we aim to illuminate patterns and processes driving sensory and cognitive evolution.

Automated summary

Researching sensory and cognitive adaptations in animals is crucial for understanding the evolution of adaptive behaviors, with bats being ideal animals due to their high ecological diversity. Recent studies have provided insights into the molecular, genetic, neural, and behavioral bases of sensory ecology and cognition in bats, revealing connections between information filtering, evolutionary trade-offs, and multimodal sensing. Investigating the selective pressures underlying information acquisition, processing, and use in bats aims to illuminate patterns and processes driving sensory and cognitive evolution.