The effects of temperature and pH change on the snapping sound characteristic of Alpheus edwardsii

Abstract

Aim: The current study undertook manipulative experiments to observe changes in snapping shrimp sound signals in relation to temperature and pH changes. Methodology: Sounds of intertidal snapping shrimp (Alpheus edwardsii) sequentially exposed to different temperature/pH treatments manipulation for a period of 2 week each, were recorded in the laboratory and analysed. The acoustic characteristics of snapping sound signal were examined to relate to the change in temperature, pH and combination of both parameters. Results: Our results showed that there was a significant reduction in the frequency of peak amplitude of snapping sound wave following a two week exposure to a combination of temperature and pH treatments. The frequency of snapping shrimp sound decreased by approximately 30% when exposed to a 2°C increase in temperature and a 0.7 unit decrease in pH, however, elevated temperature alone caused no significant effect on the peak frequency of snapping shrimp sound. Interpretation: The finding suggests that following the prediction values of temperature and pH changes due to climate change in the coming century may implicate the ambient noise at habitats where snapping shrimps dominate.