Organismal Sensory Biology

BSB responses to noise As anthropogenic activities in the world’s oceans are increasing, so too is the sound originating from these activities and consequently there is increased attention being paid to the ecological consequences of anthropogenic sound underwater. Black sea bass (Centropristis striata) support a valuable commercial fishery in the US. Yet, until recently, there…

Humpback particle motion Acoustic signals are fundamental to animal communication and cetaceans are often considered bioacoustic specialists. Nearly all studies of their acoustic communication focus on sound pressure measurements, overlooking the particle motion components of their communication signals. Humpback whale song can be detected over large distances. Less is know about how far their particle…

Auditory anatomy and uCT As a comparison to some of our physiological and behavioral measurements, we are examining auditory anatomy of some select study animals. With Song Zhongchang and James Michaelson, we are leveraging microCT imaging technology to reconstruct the ultrafine hearing structures of snapping shrimp, puffins, black sea bass, and squid. For some of…

Due to the opening of the Northwest Passage and interest in Arctic resources, human naval activities and consequent ocean noise (e.g., resource exploration, shipping and sonars) are increasing in northerly beluga waters. In this project we are measuring the hearing abilities of temporarily captured wild belugas from Bristol Bay.

Squid and other cephalopods detect acoustic stimuli, however very little is known about their hearing abilities, and how human-produced noise may impact their behavior and ecology. We are collecting neurophysiological hearing data on squid to better understand how these animals hear, and are conducting noise-playback experiments to determine how noise may influence ecologically important behaviors of these squid.

With new advances in underwater recording devices and acoustic data processing, we have begun to understand the relationship between coral reef soundscapes, larval settlement, and local biodiversity. While the use of sound by marine organisms has been greatly focused in marine mammals and adult fishes, larvae and other animals are also capable of detecting sound as it as it travels efficiently in the ocean. However, the role of sound in shaping larval settlement patterns and community structure is not well understood. Our work incorporates a detailed examination of coral reefs in the US Virgin Islands National Park across a gradient of habitat conditions to quantify settlement, reef conditions, and biophysical variability.

Ocean sound is a major cue for marine organisms. Sound travels farther and faster than in air, rendering it more effective than visual and chemical cues over long distances. Some turtle species produce sounds, but little is known about their hearing capabilities. Much of our current knowledge of turtle hearing comes from anatomical models, which suggest some species hear lower frequencies. Lab experiments have showed that turtle hatchlings use wave-sound to orient themselves towards the ocean, but many questions about how sound is used as a sensory cue.