Building a bat: Effects of synchronizing wing beat and sonar emission on the respiratory tract

Methods

Summary

The specimens used in this study are all ready deceased and stored at the University of Northern Colorado bat lab. Two species will be used, Artibeus jamaicensis and Carollia perspicillata. Forearm length will be measured and used to estimate age and flight performance, this is possible due to extensive data already existing from this colony regarding arm development, age, and flight ability. Respiratory tracts will be dissected out and cleared and stained with Alcian blue and Alizarin red in order to visualize the extent of cartilage ring calcification.

Pre Analysis Plan

Calcification patterns will be described for each species with regard to age and flight ability. Comparisons between species will be made using percentage of the total number of rings calcified, age, and flight ability (numbered 1-5). This will allow for rates of calcification to be compared as well as comparisons of percentage averages between flight stages.