BATS AND BAROMETRIC-PRESSURE - CONSERVING LIMITED ENERGY AND TRACKINGINSECTS FROM THE ROOST

1. Studies were conducted to assess the response of a seasonal cave-dw elling bat and its insect prey to natural and experimental changes in barometric pressure. 2. The Eastern Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus subflavu s, tracks barometric pressure metabolically. 3. Eastern Pipistrelles p otentially use pressure as a cue for predicting the relative abundance of aerial insect prey outside the roost. 4. Barometric pressure track ing affords these bats;an opportunity to conserve limited energy and m ake appropriate foraging decisions. 5. Barometric pressure tracking is viewed as an alternative evolutionary strategy to torpor and may be a widespread phenomenon among insect-feeding bats that roost deep withi n caves.