Australian Bat Acoustic Data Collection 

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. 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.

1. 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.
2. All identified calls must include the following metadata fields:
   a) "Identified by" – the name of the individual who identified the call
   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.
   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.

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 Miniopterus roost would be Miniopterus, but other cave-dwelling species may also be present. As is true for all datasets, individuals will need to examine their data to ensure consistency. 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. 

Data not provided. 

Data not provided.