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A01 Physical TeamA01-2 Team HIRYU

Theme- 2 飛龍班 Team HIRYU

Understanding the hierarchical navigation of bats using the acoustic cyberspace

Bats are known for their ability to emit ultrasound to perceive distance, direction, and the size of objects through their echoes (echolocation). In this research, by utilizing the characteristics of bats as a model animal, we will perform advanced measurements on various levels of navigation, from an individual level, including an interaction with objects and environments, to a more complex population level, with a wide range of methods from engineering to biology, then elucidate the “behavioral diagrams,” which designs animal intentions.

We will specifically focus on the ecology of bats because their perception of the environment is limited to sound (echo space) to construct an “acoustic cyberspace” that can reproduce the perceptual space of animals by acoustic simulation. Then, we will seamlessly link it to behavioral experiments in the physical space. This will enable us to clarify the external and internal factors that support the advanced navigation strategy of bats, and we will also challenge the engineering application of the obtained navigation models.

Furthermore, the on-board χlogbot and data analysis methods developed by the A02 Cyber Team will be applied to predict the navigation patterns of fruit bats in Africa (host of a virus that causes fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans). A comprehensive understanding of the hierarchical navigation of bats has the potential to lead to countermeasures against infectious diseases, which is a major challenge for our society.

Researchers A01-2 飛龍班 研究者

  • Principal Investigator Shizuko Hiryu Shizuko Hiryu

    Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University Professor

    Research field
    Research on biosonar system of bats and its engineeging application
    Research keywords
    Echolocation, ultrasound, bioacoustics, sensing, bio-logging
    Laboratory
    https://www1.doshisha.ac.jp/~bioinfo/

  • Co-Investigator Kohta I Kobayasi Kohta I Kobayasi

    Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University Professor

    Research field
    Neuroethology of vocalisation and vocal communication
    Research keywords
    neuroethology, vocalisation, phonation
    Laboratory
    　

  • Inter-lab postdoc fellow Emyo Fujioka Emyo Fujioka

    Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University Project associate professor

    Research field
    Bioacousitics, Measurement engineering, Behavioral ecology
    Research keywords
    Bat, Echolocation, Navigation, Fieldwork, Biomimetics
    Laboratory
    https://researchmap.jp/emyo_fujioka

  • Co-Investigator Dai Fukui Dai Fukui

    The University of Tokyo Forests, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo Lecturer

    Research field
    Bat Ecology
    Research keywords
    Bat, Ecology, Community, Biogeography, Echolocation
    Laboratory
    https://www.uf.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/

  • Co-Investigator Masahiro Kajihara Masahiro Kajihara

    International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University Assistant Professor

    Research field
    Virology
    Research keywords
    Bat-borne diseases, Viral hemorrhagic fever, Zoonosis, Africa, Biologging
    Laboratory
    https://www.czc.hokudai.ac.jp/epidemiol/index_e.html

  • Co-Investigator Hiroto Ogawa Hiroto Ogawa

    Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University Professor

    Research field
    Behavioral Neuroscience, System Neuroscience
    Research keywords
    brain, neural circuit, neuron, insect, escape behavior
    Laboratory
    https://www.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/~hogawa/English/

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