School of Animal Biology

Bat Skull

Description

This image is derived from an x-ray of the skull of a rhinolophoid bat. The skull of this species is characterised by the shape of the sagittal crest, which is relatively large and reflecting a diet that includes beetles. The species is characteristic of the family by having enlarged and cavernous nasal chambers. Bat heads are tuned to the frequency that they emit (in terms of nasal tract length and width) and these chambers are of just the right size so that they resonate at the same frequencies filtered by the nasal tract. Photo by Kyle Armstrong

Image information

400x204 at 72 dpi

Date image taken

11 Sep 2008