Evidence of Cnidarians sensitivity to sound after exposure to low frequency noise underwater sources

• DOI: 10.1038/srep37979
• Publication Date: 2016-12-21T11:43:24Z
• Authors: Marta Solé; Marc Lenoir; José Manuel Fontuño; Mercè Durfort; Mike van der Schaar; Michel André
• Keywords: Sound exposure; Soundscape; Marine ecosystem

Abstract Jellyfishes represent a group of species that play an important role in oceans, particularly as food source for different taxa and predator fish larvae planktonic prey. The massive introduction artificial sound sources the oceans has become concern to science society. While we are only beginning understand non-hearing specialists like cephalopods can be affected by anthropogenic noises regulation is underway measure European water noise levels, still don’t know yet if impact may extended other lower level web. Here exposed two Mediterranean Scyphozoan medusa, Cotylorhiza tuberculata Rhizostoma pulmo sweep low frequency sounds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed injuries statocyst sensory epithelium both after exposure sound, consistent with manifestation acoustic trauma observed species. presence marine not hearing specialists, shows magnitude problem pollution complexity task determine threshold values would help building up prevent permanent damage ecosystems.