Brief description
This dataset is a growing collection of high-frequency echolocation calls recorded from Australian bats across a wide geographic range and over multiple decades. The calls have been collected by various bat researchers, contributors and collaborators from across Australia. Taxonomic updates have been applied where possible, such as the reclassification of species from Mormopterus to Ozimops. Users should note that some audio files may contain calls from multiple species, and in certain cases, only one of the present species has been identified.
The collection includes bat call files in .zc and .wav formats, encompassing both identified and unidentified calls. Each call file contains embedded information, such as collection date, GPS location, species identification (where available), and contributor details, which is extracted and used to create searchable filter options in TERN Ecoacoustic Recordings. This enables users to efficiently search for, explore, and download call files based on specific criteria through the dashboard.
Data have been gathered from diverse environments including national parks, research stations, and conservation areas throughout Australia.
The earliest recordings date back to 1989, and the dataset continues to expand. This metadata record serves as an open library for Australian bat call data, with future submissions from additional contributors expected to be added over time.
Lineage
Bat echolocation calls were recorded using a variety of ultrasonic detectors capable of capturing high-frequency calls. As this dataset was contributed by multiple individuals over time, equipment models and survey methods varied, but all recordings followed the general approach of deploying bat detectors in the field to capture active bat calls. The brand and type of instrument used to record individual files is indicated within a specific metadata field and and can be viewed and/or selected using the Filters/Instrument menu on the Bat Dashboard. The majority of calls have been recorded with Titley Electronic bat detectors but this change as recording from other manufacturers are submitted to the data base
Notes
CreditWe at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
This work was jointly funded by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), an Australian Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) project, New South Wales Government Department of Environment and Conservation, and Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.
We gratefully acknowledge the significant contribution of Chris Corben, whose generosity and dedication to bat research have been invaluable. This collection includes over 100,000 calls recorded by Chris, many of which have been identified to species level. Notably, some of the earliest recordings date back to 1989, prior to Titley’s involvement, and were likely captured using Chris’s early setup involving a laptop and ultrasonic microphone. His efforts have greatly enriched this dataset and supported bat research globally.
The Australian Bat Acoustic Data Collection has two goals:
- To demonstrate the feasibility and value of long-term acoustic monitoring of echolocating bats.
- To develop an open-access online repository of bat calls and analytical techniques that captures the within and between-species diversity in call structure across Australia, in order to improve our capacity to identify all species of Australian bats based on their echolocation calls.
Data Quality Assessment Scope
local :
dataset
<p>Identifying all species of echolocating bats based solely on their calls can be challenging - indeed, this challenge is a key motivation behind the development of this database. Variability in calls within species and the presence of overlapping call characteristics between species mean that information on geographical location can also be an important factor for accurate identification.</p>
<p>We have taken the following steps to try and minimise the error rate associated with call identification and maximise the capacity for individuals to assess their own confidence in calls that are linked to a species.</p>
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<p>Individuals submitting calls are encouraged NOT to provide species identification unless they have a very high level of certainty. We welcome unidentified calls and see them as incredibly valuable.</p>
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<p>All identified calls must include the following metadata fields:<br /> a) "Identified by" – the name of the individual who identified the call<br /> b) "ID method" – the method used to identify the call, such as observation of the call file ("Call"), observation of the bat when the recording was made ("Visual"), or identification of the bat in hand after capture ("Capture"). Other fields, such as "DNA" or an accepted auto-ID approach, would also be possible.<br /> c) "Record context" – the default for this is most likely 'free flying', but possible entries include "Release", "Enclosure", "In bag", "Cave entrance", etc. This field separates interpretation of call function from call location.</p>
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<p>The logic for these fields is that information on who collected the data, who identified the calls, how they identified them, and where the calls were recorded can together be used to determine your own assessment of the validity of individual identifications. Some bats, for example, in some regions, can be identified correctly when flying with spotlights, by some people. Alternatively, collecting "Release" calls from tagged individuals is a common approach, but it is not uncommon to follow a tagged and released individual and actually record the calls of another untagged species interested in the bat with a strange light attached to it. Similarly, the majority of calls collected outside a <em>Miniopterus</em> roost would be <em>Miniopterus</em>, but other cave-dwelling species may also be present.</p>
<p>As is true for all datasets, individuals will need to examine their data to ensure consistency.</p>
<p>The ability to generate a DOI for the dataset you ultimately use represents a valuable opportunity for users to clearly identify the calls used in any subsequent analysis in a way that is accessible to all.</p>
Created: 1989-10-15
Issued: 2024-11-24
Modified: 2025-12-19
Data time period: 1989-10-15
text: Australia
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Point-of-truth metadata URL- URI : geonetwork.tern.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/9c47fe65-86c0-4cbd-bb28-73d30c3fd6c1
- global : 9c47fe65-86c0-4cbd-bb28-73d30c3fd6c1
