Characterizing dual-pulse calls in five Sciaenid species

Area of Science:

• Ichthyology
• Bioacoustics
• Animal Communication

Background:

• Sciaenids (croakers and drums) are well-known vocal fish.
• Advertisement and disturbance calls are common, but dual-pulse calls are rarely documented.
• Understanding diverse fish vocalizations is key to marine bioacoustics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To record and analyze the acoustic features of dual-pulse calls in South Atlantic sciaenid species.
• To investigate the context and potential functions of these infrequently reported sounds.
• To explore the evolutionary significance of dual-pulse calls within the Sciaenidae family.

Main Methods:

• Acoustic recordings of five South Atlantic sciaenid species.
• Analysis of sound features from four captive and one wild species.
• Observation of call emission during various behaviors and in response to stimuli.

Main Results:

• Dual-pulse sounds were successfully recorded in the studied sciaenid species.
• These stereotyped calls were emitted by both free-swimming and stationary fish.
• Calls were often elicited by human feeding, independent of apparent social interaction.

Conclusions:

• The widespread occurrence of dual-pulse calls across geographically distant sciaenid species suggests a basal evolutionary origin.
• This call type may serve important, yet undetermined, functions in sciaenid fish.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the precise roles of dual-pulse calls in fish communication.