Ecomorphology and sensory biology of bats

This special issue of The Anatomical Record is inspired by and dedicated to Professor Kunwar P. Bhatnagar, whose lifelong interests in biology, and long career studying bats, inspired many and advanced our knowledge of the world's only flying mammals. The 15 articles included here represent a broad range of investigators, treading topics familiar to Prof. Bhatnagar, who was interested in seemingly every aspect of bat biology. Key topics include broad themes of bat development, sensory systems, and specializations related to flight and diet. These articles paint a complex picture of the fascinating adaptations of bats, such as rapid fore limb development, ear morphologies relating to echolocation, and other enhanced senses that allow bats to exploit niches in virtually every part of the world. In this introduction, we integrate and contextualize these articles within the broader story of bat ecomorphology, providing an overview of each of the key themes noted above. This special issue will serve as a springboard for future studies both in bat biology and in the broader world of mammalian comparative anatomy and ecomorphology.

Automated summary

This special issue of The Anatomical Record is a dedication to Professor Kunwar P. Bhatnagar, whose lifelong interests in biology and study of bats have contributed significantly to our understanding of these flying mammals. The 15 articles included cover a wide range of topics related to bat development, sensory systems, flight, and diet specializations. These articles highlight the fascinating adaptations of bats, such as their rapid forelimb development, ear morphologies for echolocation, and enhanced senses enabling niche exploitation worldwide. This special issue serves as a foundation for future studies in bat biology and mammalian comparative anatomy and ecomorphology.