Studies on underwater sounds III. On the mechanism of sound production and the underwater sounds produced by Linuparus trigonus

Abstract

Linuparus trigonus V. Siebold were placed in a tank, with a hydrophone suspended in one corner, in order to investigate the mechanism of sound production and the under-water sounds released. Sounds were recorded by tape recorder and analyzed by means of sound spectrograph. L. trigonus emits creaky sounds by rubbing the protuberance of the antennal coxa against the white tubercle in front of its optic stalk. The protuberance of the coxa molds a hollow, with the opening covered by a thin membrane; this facilitates the production of under-water sounds. However, these sounds are produced only when the antenna is lifted. It is also possible to produce these sounds artificially using dead lobsters. When disturbed by external stimulus, L. trigonus flaps back and accelerates the repitition rate. The under-water sounds produced are a series of pulses, which can be divided into 2 groups: (1) The A type sound; this has a relatively slow repetition rate (10 to 80 times/sec) and is weak at the low frequency range below 3 kHz; the sounds, therefore, are manifested on the sonagram in a pattern consisting of some layers of frequencies which are almost constant. (2) The B type sound; this comprises a series of pulses which are powerful even at low frequency. The repetition rate is very high, and not recognizable on the sonagram.