@article{amorim_acoustic_2018, title = {Acoustic communication in marine shallow waters: testing the acoustic adaptive hypothesis in sand gobies}, volume = {221}, copyright = {© 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd. http://www.biologists.com/user-licence-1-1/}, issn = {0022-0949, 1477-9145}, shorttitle = {Acoustic communication in marine shallow waters}, url = {https://jeb.biologists.org/content/221/22/jeb183681}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.183681}, abstract = {Skip to Next Section Acoustic communication is an important part of social behaviour of fish species that live or breed in shallow noisy waters. Previous studies have shown that some fish species exploit a quiet window in the background noise for communication. However, it remains to be examined whether hearing abilities and sound production of fish are adapted to marine habitats presenting high hydrodynamism. Here, we investigated whether the communication system of the painted (Pomatoschistus pictus) and the marbled (Pomatoschistus marmoratus) gobies is adapted to enhance sound transmission and reception in Atlantic shallow water environments. We recorded and measured the sound pressure levels of social vocalisations of both species, as well as snapshots of ambient noise of habitats characterised by different hydrodynamics. Hearing thresholds (in terms of both sound pressure and particle acceleration) and responses to conspecific signals were determined using the auditory evoked potential recording technique. We found that the peak frequency range (100–300 Hz) of acoustic signals matched the best hearing sensitivity in both species and appeared well adapted for short-range communication in Atlantic habitats. Sandy/rocky exposed beaches presented a quiet window, observable even during the breaking of moderate waves, coincident with the main sound frequencies and best hearing sensitivities of both species. Our data demonstrate that the hearing abilities of these gobies are well suited to detect conspecific sounds within typical interacting distances (a few body lengths) in Atlantic shallow waters. These findings lend support to the acoustic adaptive hypothesis, under the sensory drive framework, proposing that signals and perception systems coevolve to be effective within local environment constraints.}, language = {en}, number = {22}, urldate = {2021-02-10}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Biology}, author = {Amorim, Maria Clara P. and Vasconcelos, Raquel O. and Bolgan, Marta and Pedroso, Silvia S. and Fonseca, Paulo J.}, month = nov, year = {2018}, pmid = {30171096}, note = {8 citations (Crossref) [2022-09-21] Publisher: The Company of Biologists Ltd Section: Research Article}, } @article{lara_characterization_2019, title = {Characterization of the {Natural} {Soundscape} of {Zebrafish} and {Comparison} with the {Captive} {Noise} {Conditions}}, volume = {16}, issn = {1557-8542}, doi = {10.1089/zeb.2018.1654}, abstract = {Zebrafish is a well-established model organism in hearing research. Although the acoustic environment is known to shape the structure and sensitivity of auditory systems, there is no information on the natural soundscape of this species. Moreover, zebrafish are typically reared in large-scale housing systems (HS), although their acoustic properties and potential effects on hearing remain unknown. We characterized the soundscape of both zebrafish natural habitats and laboratory captive conditions, and discussed possible impact on auditory sensitivity. Sound recordings were conducted in five distinct zebrafish habitats (Southwest India), from quieter stagnant environments with diverse biological/abiotic sounds to louder watercourses characterized by current and moving substrate sounds. Sound pressure level (SPL) varied between 98 and 126 dB re 1 μPa. Sound spectra presented most energy below 3000 Hz and quieter noise windows were found in the noisiest habitats matching the species best hearing range. Contrastingly, recordings from three zebrafish HS revealed higher SPL (122-143 dB) and most energy below 1000 Hz with more spectral peaks, which might cause significant auditory masking. This study establishes an important ground for future research on the adaptation of zebrafish auditory system to the natural soundscapes, and highlights the importance of controlling noise conditions in captivity.}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Zebrafish}, author = {Lara, Rafael A. and Vasconcelos, Raquel O.}, month = apr, year = {2019}, pmid = {30585776}, note = {16 citations (Crossref) [2022-09-21]}, keywords = {Animals, Animals, Laboratory, Auditory Threshold, Batrachoidiformes, Ecosystem, Environment, Female, Hair Cells, Auditory, Hearing, Housing, Animal, India, Male, Neuronal Plasticity, Noise, Saccule and Utricle, Seasons, Sexual Behavior, Animal, Sound, Species Specificity, Vocalization, Animal, Zebrafish, ambient noise, hearing sensitivity, natural habitat, sound pressure level, soundscape}, pages = {152--164}, } @incollection{vasconcelos_development_2016, address = {Cham}, series = {Advances in {Experimental} {Medicine} and {Biology}}, title = {Development of {Structure} and {Sensitivity} of the {Fish} {Inner} {Ear}}, isbn = {978-3-319-21059-9}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21059-9_14}, abstract = {Fish represent the largest group of vertebrates and display the greatest diversity of auditory structures. However, studies addressing how the form and function of the auditory system change during development to enhance perception of the acoustic environment are rather sparse in this taxon compared to other vertebrate groups. An ontogenetic perspective of the auditory system in fishes provides a readily testable framework for understanding structure–function relationships. Additionally, studying ancestral models such as fish can convey valuable comparable information across vertebrates, as early developmental events are often evolutionary conserved. This chapter reviews the literature on the morphological development of the fish auditory system, with particular focus on the inner ear structures that evolve from an otic placode during early embryonic development and then continue to undergo differentiation and maturation in the postembryonic phase. Moreover, the chapter provides a systematic overview of how auditory sensitivity develops during ontogeny. Although most studies indicate a developmental improvement in auditory sensitivity, there is considerably species-specific variation. Lastly, the paucity of information and literature concerning the development of auditory capabilities for social communication in fishes is also discussed. Further investigation on the development of structure and function of the fish auditory system is recommended in order to obtain a deeper understanding of how ontogenetic morphological changes in the auditory pathway relate to modifications in acoustic reception, auditory processing, and the capacity to communicate acoustically.}, language = {en}, urldate = {2021-02-10}, booktitle = {Fish {Hearing} and {Bioacoustics}: {An} {Anthology} in {Honor} of {Arthur} {N}. {Popper} and {Richard} {R}. {Fay}}, publisher = {Springer International Publishing}, author = {Vasconcelos, Raquel O. and Alderks, Peter W. and Sisneros, Joseph A.}, editor = {Sisneros, Joseph A.}, year = {2016}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-319-21059-9_14}, keywords = {Auditory development, Auditory physiology, Ear morphology, Fish ontogeny}, pages = {291--318}, } @incollection{amorim_fish_2015, address = {Vienna}, series = {Animal {Signals} and {Communication}}, title = {Fish {Sounds} and {Mate} {Choice}}, isbn = {978-3-7091-1846-7}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1846-7_1}, abstract = {Fish acoustic signals associated with mating behaviour are typically low-frequency sounds produced by males when in close proximity to females. However, some species make sounds that serve the function and follow the design of advertisement calls, well known in insects, anurans, and birds. Close-range courtship acoustic signals may be used by females in mate assessment as they contain information of male quality such as size and condition. For example, sound-dominant frequency, amplitude, and fatigue resistance may signal body size whereas pulse period (i.e. muscle contraction rate) and calling activity are related with body condition in some species. Some signal features, such as sound pulse number, may carry multiple messages including size and condition. Playback experiments on mate choice of a restricted number of species suggest that females prefer vocal to silent males and may use sound frequency, amplitude, and mainly calling rateCalling ratewhen assessing males. The assessment of males by females becomes more challenging when males engage in choruses or when sounds are otherwise masked by anthropogenic noise but almost nothing is known about how these aspects affect mating decisions and fish reproductive success.}, language = {en}, urldate = {2022-09-21}, booktitle = {Sound {Communication} in {Fishes}}, publisher = {Springer}, author = {Amorim, M. Clara P. and Vasconcelos, Raquel O. and Fonseca, Paulo J.}, editor = {Ladich, Friedrich}, year = {2015}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-7091-1846-7_1}, keywords = {Acoustic communication, Anthropogenic noise, Calling activity, Chorus, Fish, Mate choice, Reproductive success}, pages = {1--33}, } @techreport{vasconcelos_listening_2016, address = {Macao}, title = {Listening to the {Environment}: {Importance} of {Early} {Acoustic} {Experience} on {Hearing} and {Development} in {Zebrafish}}, institution = {University of Saint Joseph}, author = {Vasconcelos, Raquel}, year = {2016}, } @article{chaves_ontogenetic_2017, title = {Ontogenetic development of the inner ear saccule and utricle in the {Lusitanian} toadfish: {Potential} implications for auditory sensitivity}, volume = {353}, issn = {0378-5955}, shorttitle = {Ontogenetic development of the inner ear saccule and utricle in the {Lusitanian} toadfish}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378595517300977}, doi = {10.1016/j.heares.2017.06.008}, abstract = {Studies addressing structure-function relationships of the fish auditory system during development are sparse compared to other taxa. The Batrachoididae has become an important group to investigate mechanisms of auditory plasticity and evolution of auditory-vocal systems. A recent study reported ontogenetic improvements in the inner ear saccule sensitivity of the Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus, but whether this results from changes in the sensory morphology remains unknown. We investigated how the macula and organization of auditory receptors in the saccule and utricle change during growth in this species. Inner ear sensory epithelia were removed from the end organs of previously PFA-fixed specimens, from non-vocal posthatch fry ({\textless}1.4 cm, standard length) to adults ({\textgreater}23 cm). Epithelia were phalloidin-stained and analysed for area, shape, number and orientation patterns of hair cells (HC), and number and size of saccular supporting cells (SC). Saccular macula area expanded 41x in total, and significantly more (relative to body length) among vocal juveniles (2.3–2.9 cm). Saccular HC number increased 25x but HC density decreased, suggesting that HC addition is slower relative to epithelial growth. While SC density decreased, SC apical area increased, contributing to the epithelial expansion. The utricule revealed increased HC density (striolar region) and less epithelial expansion (5x) with growth, contrasting with the saccule that may have a different developmental pattern due to its larger size and main auditory functions. Both macula shape and HC orientation patterns were already established in the posthatch fry and retained throughout growth in both end organs. We suggest that previously reported ontogenetic improvements in saccular sensitivity might be associated with changes in HC number (not density), size and/or molecular mechanisms controlling HC sensitivity. This is one of the first studies investigating the ontogenetic development of the saccule and utricle in a vocal fish and how it potentially relates to auditory enhancement for acoustic communication.}, language = {en}, urldate = {2021-02-10}, journal = {Hearing Research}, author = {Chaves, Patrícia P. and Valdoria, Ciara M. C. and Amorim, M. Clara P. and Vasconcelos, Raquel O.}, month = sep, year = {2017}, note = {5 citations (Crossref) [2022-09-21]}, keywords = {Auditory sensitivity, Batrachoididae, Hair cell, Ontogeny, Saccule, Utricle}, pages = {112--121}, } @article{vasconcelos_vocal_2015, title = {Vocal differentiation parallels development of auditory saccular sensitivity in a highly soniferous fish}, volume = {218}, issn = {0022-0949}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.123059}, doi = {10.1242/jeb.123059}, abstract = {Vocal differentiation is widely documented in birds and mammals but has been poorly investigated in other vertebrates, including fish, which represent the oldest extant vertebrate group. Neural circuitry controlling vocal behaviour is thought to have evolved from conserved brain areas that originated in fish, making this taxon key to understanding the evolution and development of the vertebrate vocal-auditory systems. This study examines ontogenetic changes in the vocal repertoire and whether vocal differentiation parallels auditory development in the Lusitanian toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus (Batrachoididae). This species exhibits a complex acoustic repertoire and is vocally active during early development. Vocalisations were recorded during social interactions for four size groups (fry: \<2 cm; small juveniles: 2–4 cm; large juveniles: 5–7 cm; adults \>25 cm, standard length). Auditory sensitivity of juveniles and adults was determined based on evoked potentials recorded from the inner ear saccule in response to pure tones of 75–945 Hz. We show an ontogenetic increment in the vocal repertoire from simple broadband-pulsed ‘grunts’ that later differentiate into four distinct vocalisations, including low-frequency amplitude-modulated ‘boatwhistles’. Whereas fry emitted mostly single grunts, large juveniles exhibited vocalisations similar to the adult vocal repertoire. Saccular sensitivity revealed a three-fold enhancement at most frequencies tested from small to large juveniles; however, large juveniles were similar in sensitivity to adults. We provide the first clear evidence of ontogenetic vocal differentiation in fish, as previously described for higher vertebrates. Our results suggest a parallel development between the vocal motor pathway and the peripheral auditory system for acoustic social communication in fish.}, number = {18}, urldate = {2022-09-21}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Biology}, author = {Vasconcelos, Raquel O. and Alderks, Peter W. and Ramos, Andreia and Fonseca, Paulo J. and Amorim, M. Clara P. and Sisneros, Joseph A.}, month = sep, year = {2015}, note = {11 citations (Crossref) [2022-09-21]}, pages = {2864--2872}, }