Bats 'Zoom In' For Safe Travels

Bats are nocturnal creatures, guided by echolation sounds that are used to guide them through the skies. Now, researchers at at Technische Universität München (TUM) have thoroughly examined the map that these creatures use to guide themselves, along with their adaptation to certain external factors.

We may have just uncovered one of the fundamental mechanisms that enables vertebrates to adapt flexibly to continuously changing environments," said lead study author Dr. Uwe Firzlaff at the TUM Chair of Zoology, in a news release.

Researchers found that nerve cells help the creatures interpret certain responses to external stimuli by enlarging the active area in the bran that displays important information related to travel.

When a bat flies too close to an object, neurons in the creatures brain increase; this causes the object to appear disproportionately larger on the bat's brain map so that it can safely distance itself from the object.

"The map is similar to the navigation systems used in cars in that it shows bats the terrain in which they are moving," explained study director Dr. Uwe Firzlaff at the TUM Chair of Zoology. "The major difference, however, is that the bats' inbuilt system warns them of an impending collision by enhancing neuronal signals for objects that are in close proximity."

Researchers believe that the bats ability to determine lateral distance to objects reveals a key role in their travels. More research will explain just how much is involved.