Numerical study of dynamic noseleaf models in greater horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum

Echolocating greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) emit biosonar pulses through nostril. The nostrilis surrounded by sophisticated and delicate appendages, i.e. noseleaf. It is known that the static part of noseleaf can cause different effects on bat biosonar pulse. In addition, the dynmaic noseleaf was found to be able to shape their emission beam. For detailed investigation of the effects of dynamic lancet on the ultrasonic beam, a 3D noseleaf model was constructed using the micro CT scanning of the noseleaf samples, and a simple model was constructed digitally for comparison. The model consists of two parts, for which one is the triangle on the top and the other one is the rectangle at the bottom. Quantitative numerical investigation on the lancet dynamic effect on the ultrasonic beam was performed using finite element analysis for both models.