title: First evidence of fish larvae producing sounds.
abstract: The acoustic ecology of marine fishes has traditionally focused on adults, while overlooking the early life-history stages. Here, we document the first acoustic recordings of pre-settlement stage grey snapper larvae (Lutjanus griseus). Through a combination of in situ and unprovoked laboratory recordings, we found that L. griseus larvae are acoustically active during the night, producing 'knock' and 'growl' sounds that are spectrally and temporally similar to those of adults. While the exact function and physiological mechanisms of sound production in fish larvae are unknown, we suggest that these sounds may enable snapper larvae to maintain group cohesion at night when visual cues are reduced.
authors.affiliation: Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Staaterman
authors.affiliation: Applied Marine Physics, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA cparis@rsmas.miami.edu.
authors.forename: Claire B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.affiliation: Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kough
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D005431:Florida; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology*; D010473:Perciformes / Q000502:physiology*; D013016:Sound; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Lutjanus; acoustic ecology; bioacoustics; orientation; reef fish larvae