Growing up to be supersonic: bat echolocation origins and mechanics

该项目旨在解决蝙蝠回声定位尚未解决的进化起源问题。利用开发、进化和新颖的工程测试的独特组合，该项目有望对头骨的特征是如何进化的，以使蝙蝠使用它们的感官与环境互动产生新的见解。预期的结果包括识别回声定位蝙蝠特有的头骨特征，以及测试这些特征与产生的声音的频率和探测范围之间的关系。好处包括改善城市和农村蝙蝠种群的保护规划，以及通过模拟回声定位的生物过程的工程应用取得潜在的商业进展。

This project aims to address the unresolved evolutionary origins of bat echolocation. Using a unique combination of development, evolution and novel engineering testing, this project expects to generate new insights into how features of the skull have evolved to allow bats to use their senses to interact with the environment. Expected outcomes include the identification of skull features that are unique to echolocating bats and tests of how these relate to the frequency and detection range of sounds produced. Benefits include improved conservation planning for urban and rural bat populations, and potential commercial advances through engineering applications that mimic the biological process of echolocation.