The pelage of bats (Chiroptera) and the presence of aerodynamic riblets: the effect on aerodynamic cleanliness.
We measured qualitative and quantitative aspects of the head and body pelage of 23 species of Western Australian bats. A functionally appropriate relationship was found with the normal flight speeds and foraging strategy of the bats at three levels of geometric consideration: overall fur texture, individual hair length and cuticular scale attributes (scale type, scale length and diameter, as well as sub-scale detail design). This relationship is best explained by describing the pelage surface as characterised by aerodynamic riblets. For species that utilise high-speed and aerodynamically efficient flight during commuting and foraging, riblets should reduce the skin friction drag of the head and body by up to 10%. The molossids, emballonurids and one pteropid studied have fur that falls within the non-dimensional height range that gives best aerodynamic efficiency, 8<h+ <15. The carnivore studied falls marginally below this range.
Bullen
Robert D
RD
Department of Environment and Conservation, Wanneroo, Western Australia 6946, Australia. bullen2@bigpond.com
McKenzie
Norman L
NL
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005426:Flight, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity