A comparative approach is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the canonical circuits of vocal communication in vertebrates and for exploring how social context influences vocal production. Our contribution to this interdisciplinary project will investigate vocal behavior and the neuromolecular basis of vocal production in two bat species, Carollia perspicillata (CP) and Saccopteryx bilineata (SB). These two species differ in how well the role of learning in the development of communication sounds (vocal production learning, VPL) has been studied. On the continuum of VPL capacity, SB is confirmed as a vocal learner, while CP has not yet been comprehensively investigated for its VPL abilities. We will therefore (1) analyze acoustic developmental trajectories during the vocal ontogeny of CP, from the vocalizations of juveniles and subadults to adult song. Furthermore, we will (2) compare the neural activations associated with echolocation and vocalization in different social contexts in both species. To this end, we will use multiplex in situ hybridization of activity-induced genes (immediate early genes) and neuronal markers to identify brain regions and neuronal subtypes. In addition, we will (3) use molecular markers identified in humans to determine the anatomical location of the laryngeal motor cortex in CP and SB, as this directly controls vocalization production in vocally learning species. For the holistic integration and analysis of anatomical and gene expression data for cross-species comparisons, we will develop a BrainGlobe API (application programming interface) for bats. Together with the results of the other projects, our data will contribute to understanding how social context influences vocalization and provide valuable insights into the canonical circuits of vocal communication.