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Extreme passive acoustic telemetry detection variability on a mesophotic coral reef, United States Virgin Islands

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Abstract

Understanding passive acoustic telemetry equipment limitations is critical for correctly interpreting movements of aquatic animals. Range test studies have been performed to determine what environmental factors may interfere with acoustic equipment efficiency. Many of these studies have been performed on shallow coral reef environments for a few days to weeks. This study examined environmental factors that influence detection variability on a mesophotic coral reef south of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands (−64.96°, 18.19°). Data from a stationary transmitter were examined against numerous environmental variables from June to September 2011. A generalized linear model was used to examine the daily detection proportion response to eight different environmental variables. Factors which had strong negative effects on detections received included when the current direction was flowing from receiver to transmitter, current speeds above 0.2 ms−1, a strong temperature gradient between transmitter and receiver, and increased water temperature. Detections varied throughout the different time periods of the day with sunset and sunrise having significantly lower detections than day, and sunset having significantly lower detections than night. The results highlight the importance of conducting a long-term range test and will aid design of future passive acoustic telemetry studies on mesophotic coral reefs.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Tyler Smith for providing long-term temperature and current data. Funding for the acoustic array was provided by the following Grants: Puerto Rico Sea Grant (#R-31-1-06), NOAA Saltonstall-Kennedy Program (#NA09NMF4270068), Virgin Islands Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (VI-EPSCoR #NSF-814417) and the Guy Harvey Research Institute. The Lana Vento Charitable Trust provided funds for research materials. Two reviewers provided excellent comments regarding the data analysis and interpretation of results. This is contribution number 177 to the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Marine and Environmental Studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI, 00802, USA

    Jonathan Jossart & Richard S. Nemeth

  2. School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, 1315 E. Tenth Street, Bloomington, IN, 47405-1701, USA

    Avram Primack

  3. College of Science and Math, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, VI, 00802, USA

    Robert Stolz

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  1. Jonathan Jossart
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  2. Richard S. Nemeth
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  3. Avram Primack
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  4. Robert Stolz
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Correspondence to Jonathan Jossart.

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Responsible Editor: J. D. R. Houghton.

Reviewed by S. de Lestang and an undisclosed expert.

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Jossart, J., Nemeth, R.S., Primack, A. et al. Extreme passive acoustic telemetry detection variability on a mesophotic coral reef, United States Virgin Islands. Mar Biol 164, 180 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3213-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3213-y

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