Perceptual bias does not explain preference for prey call adornment in the frog-eating bat

摘要: Eavesdropping predators sometimes show preferences for certain prey signal variants, yet the ultimate and proximate reasons such are often unclear. The fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosus, eavesdrops on advertisement calls of male tungara frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus, shows a marked preference complex (adorned) over simple (non-adorned) calls. We hypothesized that this stems from perceptual biases in sensory and/or cognitive systems T. cirrhosus. To test hypothesis, we conducted series experiments which presented bats with various modified calls, each altered to possess one acoustic properties distinguish reasoned if bias accounts bat’s then novel stimulus similar call should be attractive as well (i.e., permissive). Except weak evidence suggesting longer duration could contribute their greater attractiveness did not find any indication account eavesdropper preference. Instead, suggest cirrhosus developed complexity because eavesdropping provides fitness benefits than example, may increase probability capture lead more profitable food patches.