Geographic variation in the echolocation calls of Gould's Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii

To investigate potential geographic variation in the echolocation calls of Gould's Wattled Bat Chalinolobus gouldii, descriptive call parameters were examined from five regions throughout Australia. Analysis of these parameters revealed a number of significant differences between the regions, especially in variables related to frequency. However, discriminant function analysis revealed extensive overlap in call parameters for the different regions. It can be concluded that, although there are differences in some parameters between regions, calls are similar overall in the five geographic regions investigated, and that the slight geographic variation which does occur does not confound the identification of C. gouldii.