Michael Newell

Bio-Lab
Galvez
04/10/15
Bio-Lab Article Summary
In the article titled: A Sensory-Motor Control Model of Animal Flight Explains Why
Bats Fly Differently in Light Versus Dark Scientists are studying whether or not a bats
movement and motor functions are effected by the type of sensory conditions they are under and
how by sensory they are able to translate that into an effective motor command.

What were scientists trying to determine with this research? They were trying to determine
whether sensory noise effected the motor commands during a bats flight and how the flight
changes based on light.

What did they predict would happen? They hypothesize that rapidly moving animals must
change and adapt their motor control strategy to match the sensory conditions in order to
improve flight.

What experiments and techniques did they use? In order to experiment with these bats they
trained them to land on a 10 diameter target in a random spot in the room. The bats were put in
the dark where they had to rely on echos in order to determine how to fly and land. They also
used a simulated bat that picked up on sensory and used it to determine if sensory noise effects a
bats flight decisions and adjustments.

What results were there? The bats flew around the target as well as in more of a curved flight
line and did not fly directly to the target when they were placed in a dark room. When the bats

were placed in the light the flight pattern changed to a more direct flight to the designated spot
with less error. This part of the experiment shows that when sensory noise is higher that it alters
the way the bat flies and determines where to land. The results show a link between sensory
noise and movement dynamics.

These results mean that all rapidly moving animals whether they be on land, sea, or air have to
link sensory with their motor skills. In this research the bats flew better when there was less
sensory noise because they had better vision in the light which allowed them to use their motor
strength more effectively which allows for a more controlled direct flight. In the dark however
there is more sensory noise which makes that bat fly with much weaker forces which results in a
more delayed/ curved flight.

This experiment helps show that the way bats fly is not because of lack of motor skill or strength
but that it is a direct effected by sensory limitations. When sensory limitations are presents the
bats had a harder time reacting and giving motor commands in order to adjust to its
surroundings. As explained before the flight then became more drawn out and more of a curved
flight in circles around the target rather than straight to the point.

The experiment was done using Egyptian Fruit Bats which are known to have a more
advanced echolocation system and also a great ability to see. I think this allowed for a better
experiment with more clear results because a species of bat with great abilities was able to show
the effect of sensory noise on rapidly flying animals despite its advanced ability to fly in varied
environments.