DataScript

In recent years, empirical research on the relationship between phenotypic flexibility and evolution is hindered by the lack of effective methods to compare different phenotypes. In this work, we leverage the rich knowledge and established methods to quantify and compare the degree of flexibilities in two acoustic phenotypes of bat echolocation signals: call frequency and call amplitude. Combining behavioral experiments, phylogenetic analysis, and mathematical and evolutionary modeling, We present converging evidence, both empirical and theoretical, that evolution favors the adaptive evolution of behaviors with moderate, but not high degree of phenotypic flexibility.