Air Flow Sensing in Bats

摘要: Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight, and impress with complicated aerial maneuvers like tight turns, hovering, or perching upside-down. The bat wing membrane is covered microscopically small hairs that associated a variety tactile receptors at follicle. directionality profile neuronal responses to air flow—as measured in somatosensory cortex bats—indicates respond strongest reverse airflow, might therefore act as stall detectors. We found depilation different functional regions alters flight behavior obstacle avoidance tasks by reducing maneuverability, indicated wider turning angles increased speed. provide here for first time electrophysiological behavioral data showing involved sensorimotor control providing aerodynamic feedback.