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The Journal of Experimental Biology 205, 2615-2626 (2002)
© 2002 The Company of Biologists Limited

Scaling bat wingbeat frequency and amplitude

R. D. Bullen^1,* and N. L. McKenzie²

¹ 43 Murray Drive, Hillarys, Western Australia, Australia 6025
² Department of Conservation and Land Management, PO Box 51, Wanneroo, Western Australia, Australia, 6065

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: bullen2{at}bigpond.com)

Accepted 6 June 2002

Wingbeat frequency (f_w) and amplitude (_w) were measured for 23 species of Australian bat, representing two sub-orders and six families. Maximum values were between 4 and 13 Hz for f_w, and between 90 and 150° for _w, depending on the species. Wingbeat frequency for each species was found to vary only slightly with flight speed over the lower half of the speed range. At high speeds, frequency is almost independent of velocity. Wingbeat frequency (Hz) depends on bat mass (m, kg) and flight speed (V, ms^-1) according to the equation: f_w=5.54-3.068log₁₀m-2.857log₁₀V. This simple relationship applies to both sub-orders and to all six families of bats studied. For 21 of the 23 species, the empirical values were within 1 Hz of the model values. One species, a small molossid, also had a second mode of flight in which f_w was up to 3 Hz lower for all flight speeds.

The following relationship predicts wingbeat amplitude to within ±15° from flight speed and wing area (S_REF, m²) at all flight speeds: _w=56.92+5.18V+16.06log₁₀S_REF. This equation is based on data up to and including speeds that require maximum wingbeat amplitude to be sustained. For most species, the maximum wingbeat amplitude was 140°.

Key words: bat, scaling, wingbeat, frequency, amplitude

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