Title: Neural mechanisms of prediction in the hippocampus of echolocating bats

Many of our daily actions, from driving to reaching for a cup, rely on our ability to predict future outcomes based on past experiences. This predictive ability is guided by internal models of the environment, for which the neural mechanisms are not well understood. The hippocampus has long been recognized for its role in spatial navigation, helping us build mental maps of our surroundings. Recently, it has been proposed that the hippocampus not only maps space but also predicts future locations or states. To investigate the neural mechanisms of internal models, I propose to study hippocampal representations of predictive target tracking in echolocating bats. Echolocating bats produce sonar signals and use echo returns to track and capture insects, even when the prey is temporarily occluded by obstacles. These animals, therefore, represent powerful model organisms for investigating predictive target tracking.