Dataset Information

Sound production in the Meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801): intraspecific variability associated with size, sex and context.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many fish taxa produce sound in voluntary and in disturbance contexts but information on the full acoustic repertoire is lacking for most species. Yet, this knowledge is critical to enable monitoring fish populations in nature through acoustic monitoring.

Methods

In this study we characterized the sounds emitted during disturbance and voluntary contexts by juvenile and adult meagre, Argyrosomus regius, in laboratory conditions. Breeding sounds produced by captive adults were also compared with meagre sounds registered in the Tagus estuary (Lisbon, Portugal) from unseen fish during the breeding season.

Results

The present dataset demonstrates for the first time that in this species dominant frequency is inversely related to fish size, and that sounds vary according to sex, context and age. Sounds from captive breeding adults were similar to sounds recorded in the field.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that A. regius sound features carry information about size, sex, age and motivation. This variability could potentially be used to identify meagre in the field and to infer about ontogenetic phase (i.e., juveniles vs. adults, and variation with size) and motivation (e.g., spawning). Future studies should confirm sex differences and ascertain the influence of water temperature on acoustic features.

SUBMITTER: Pereira BP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7045892 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Sound production in the Meagre, <i>Argyrosomus regius</i> (Asso, 1801): intraspecific variability associated with size, sex and context.

Pereira Beatriz P BP Vieira Manuel M Pousão-Ferreira Pedro P Candeias-Mendes Ana A Barata Marisa M Fonseca Paulo J PJ Amorim Maria Clara P MCP

PeerJ 20200224

<h4>Background</h4>Many fish taxa produce sound in voluntary and in disturbance contexts but information on the full acoustic repertoire is lacking for most species. Yet, this knowledge is critical to enable monitoring fish populations in nature through acoustic monitoring.<h4>Methods</h4>In this study we characterized the sounds emitted during disturbance and voluntary contexts by juvenile and adult meagre, <i>Argyrosomus regius</i>, in laboratory conditions. Breeding sounds produced by captive ...[more]

PMID: 32140300

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