Optimal Migration Strategies in Bats
(2009) In Journal of Mammalogy 90(6). p.1298-1309- Abstract
- This paper introduces some theoretical concepts based on optimality theory that may be applied to bat migration. Most predictions are based on flight mechanics and potential flight range. Optimal behavior will depend on the relevant immediate currency, such as safety, time, or energy. Predictions concern optimal flight speeds, stopover duration, fuel load at departure, and the adaptive use of winds. I also consider a criterion for fuel management when bats are migrating between summer and hibernation sites. The overall migration speed is predicted to be 46 km/day for a small (10-g) bat, and banding recoveries in Nathusius's bat (Pipistrellus nathusii) showed a mean speed of 47 km/day. The timing of migration in bats that minimizes the time... (More)
- This paper introduces some theoretical concepts based on optimality theory that may be applied to bat migration. Most predictions are based on flight mechanics and potential flight range. Optimal behavior will depend on the relevant immediate currency, such as safety, time, or energy. Predictions concern optimal flight speeds, stopover duration, fuel load at departure, and the adaptive use of winds. I also consider a criterion for fuel management when bats are migrating between summer and hibernation sites. The overall migration speed is predicted to be 46 km/day for a small (10-g) bat, and banding recoveries in Nathusius's bat (Pipistrellus nathusii) showed a mean speed of 47 km/day. The timing of migration in bats that minimizes the time spent in migration is considered a result of the trade-off between seasonally increased length of the night (decreased in spring) and reduction of aerial insect abundance. Most predictions remains to be tested; the theoretical framework herein offers a point of departure when designing new field or laboratory studies of bat migration. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/1531968
- author
- Hedenström, Anders LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2009
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- speed, migration, hibernation, fuel load, flight mechanics, flight speed, migration theory
- in
- Journal of Mammalogy
- volume
- 90
- issue
- 6
- pages
- 1298 - 1309
- publisher
- Oxford University Press
- external identifiers
-
- wos:000273080600003
- scopus:73549109185
- ISSN
- 0022-2372
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 3d6d612e-1a10-4dff-ad2f-25d61b5af0df (old id 1531968)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 13:37:36
- date last changed
- 2022-04-21 22:42:28
@article{3d6d612e-1a10-4dff-ad2f-25d61b5af0df,
abstract = {{This paper introduces some theoretical concepts based on optimality theory that may be applied to bat migration. Most predictions are based on flight mechanics and potential flight range. Optimal behavior will depend on the relevant immediate currency, such as safety, time, or energy. Predictions concern optimal flight speeds, stopover duration, fuel load at departure, and the adaptive use of winds. I also consider a criterion for fuel management when bats are migrating between summer and hibernation sites. The overall migration speed is predicted to be 46 km/day for a small (10-g) bat, and banding recoveries in Nathusius's bat (Pipistrellus nathusii) showed a mean speed of 47 km/day. The timing of migration in bats that minimizes the time spent in migration is considered a result of the trade-off between seasonally increased length of the night (decreased in spring) and reduction of aerial insect abundance. Most predictions remains to be tested; the theoretical framework herein offers a point of departure when designing new field or laboratory studies of bat migration.}},
author = {{Hedenström, Anders}},
issn = {{0022-2372}},
keywords = {{speed; migration; hibernation; fuel load; flight mechanics; flight speed; migration theory}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{6}},
pages = {{1298--1309}},
publisher = {{Oxford University Press}},
series = {{Journal of Mammalogy}},
title = {{Optimal Migration Strategies in Bats}},
volume = {{90}},
year = {{2009}},
}