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Singing Fish in an Ocean of Noise: Effects of Boat Noise on the Plainfin Midshipman (Porichthys notatus) in a Natural Ecosystem

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The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life II

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 875))

Abstract

When it comes to hearing and vocal communication in fishes, the plainfin midshipman (Porichthys notatus) is perhaps best understood. However, distinctly lacking are studies investigating communication of P. notatus in its natural ecosystems and the effects of noise on wild fish populations. Here, an exploratory look into both is discussed. By monitoring a population of wild P. notatus off British Columbia, Canada, call patterns were distinguished, the function of communicative sounds was identified, and midshipman vocalizations in agonistic encounters with natural predators were evaluated. A preliminary investigation into the effects of boat noise on wild midshipman is also described.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded in part by a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant and a research grant from World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK

    Sarika Cullis-Suzuki

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  1. Sarika Cullis-Suzuki
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Correspondence to Sarika Cullis-Suzuki .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

    Arthur N. Popper

  2. Aberdeen, United Kingdom

    Anthony Hawkins

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Cullis-Suzuki, S. (2016). Singing Fish in an Ocean of Noise: Effects of Boat Noise on the Plainfin Midshipman (Porichthys notatus) in a Natural Ecosystem. In: Popper, A., Hawkins, A. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life II. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 875. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2981-8_20

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