Abstract
Anthropogenic noise pollution is an emerging global threat to fish populations. Among a suite of deleterious effects, noise can potentially impede reproductive success in some fishes by masking their mate advertisement vocalizations. Using the plainfin midshipman fish, Porichthys notatus , a marine toadfish that produces a distinctive ‘hum’ during courtship, we investigated how noise affects male vocalizations and spawning success in the wild. We recorded nesting males for 3 days and measured the frequency (i.e. pitch), amplitude and duration of their vocalizations before, during and after exposure to artificial noise (∼118 Hz tone). We also counted eggs in nests exposed to 10 days of artificial noise versus control nests that were not exposed to artificial noise. Males exposed to noise produced fewer vocalizations, reduced the frequency of vocalizations and increased the amplitude of their mating hum (Lombard effect). However, chronic artificial noise exposure did not significantly affect spawning success, suggesting that the Lombard effect allowed males to sustain clear advertisement signals when competing with a relatively weak artificial noise source. Future studies are needed to determine whether such vocal adjustments incur costs for males, and how common anthropogenic noises, such as boat engines, affect spawning and reproductive success. • Artificial noise elicited an amplitude increase in mate advertisement vocalizations. • Artificial noise elicited peak frequency decreases in three different vocalizations. • All vocalizations occurred less often in the presence of artificial noise. • Exposure to artificial noise for 10 days did not appear to affect spawning success.
Published Version
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