Relationship between skull morphology and foraging strategy of Megachiropteran bats.

Abstract

Morphology of bats relates to their ecology. The rapidly growing base of knowledge about the diet of bats facilitates a priori predictions about feeding performance, morphology and feeding behaviour. The structure of feeding apparatus, particularly the skull, teeth and the form of the jaw in each species of bat provides a perfect evidence of its diet. Skull and dentition not only reflect the size and shape, but are also associated with static mechanical models of masticatory function. The study on the skull morphology of bats will reveal their foraging strategy and food selection. It is proved that there is predictable link between skull morphology and foraging strategies in these flying vertebrates. The present study is an attempt to investigate the skull morphology of six bat species. The observations on the cranial dental morphology have been co-related with their foraging strategy.