Laboratory of Fish Morphology and Behavior, Department of Biological Sciences
University of New Orleans
About:
Our lab research examines the role of sound on the evolution and ecology of teleost fishes. We seek to better understand how and why fish produce sounds for acoustic communication. We are also focused on characterizing variation in hearing sensitivity among different groups of fishes (vocal and non-vocal species). To accomplish these goals, we are conducting interdisciplinary research on teleost fishes that involves behavioral ecology, ethology, evolutionary morphology, physiology, and biomechanics.
Acoustic communication is widespread among teleost fishes, but not universal and has evolved independently multiple times. Several thousand fish species are thought to be vocal (Ladich 2004) and sounds are produced in a variety of social contexts (e.g., reproduction, parental care, and territoriality). More than thirty fish families are reported to produce sounds in agonistic contexts (Ladich and Myrberg 2006). The influence of sound in the evolution and ecology of fishes is underappreciated for both vocal and non-vocal fish taxa. Our research is concentrated on how bioacoustics influences the morphology, behavior, ecology and conservation of fishes.
Our current research interests are centered on 1) the origins and diversity of acoustic organs in fishes, 2) evolution of peripheral auditory structures in fishes, and 3) the acoustical ecology of soniferous fish populations. This research seeks to determine how and why sounds are produced in different teleost fish lineages and examines how fish overcome the challenges of producing audible sounds underwater. Research on the auditory periphery in fishes examines how skeletal, swim bladder, and skull morphologies associated with hearing may vary according to phylogeny and ecology. Current studies on the acoustical ecology of fish populations seek to improve the ability to screen long term passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) datasets of fishes in order to identify species by their sounds. PAM datasets can be used to assess long-term patterns of fish abundance and behavior cycles (e.g., spawning, nesting) as well as assessing risk of soniferous populations to exposure and interference from anthropogenic noise.
REFERENCES
Ladich F. 2004. Sound production and acoustic communication. In: von der Emde G, Mogdans J, Kapoor BG, editors. The Senses of Fish. New Delhi: Narosa Publishing House. p. 210-230.
Ladich F, Myrberg J, A. A. 2006. Agonistic behavior and acoustic communication. In: Ladich F, Collin SP, Moller P, Kapoor BG, editors. Communication in Fishes. Enfield NH: Science Publishers. p. 121-148.
Our lab research examines the role of sound on the evolution and ecology of teleost fishes. We seek to better understand how and why fish produce sounds for acoustic communication. We are also focused on characterizing variation in hearing sensitivity among different groups of fishes (vocal and non-vocal species). To accomplish these goals, we are conducting interdisciplinary research on teleost fishes that involves behavioral ecology, ethology, evolutionary morphology, physiology, and biomechanics.
Acoustic communication is widespread among teleost fishes, but not universal and has evolved independently multiple times. Several thousand fish species are thought to be vocal (Ladich 2004) and sounds are produced in a variety of social contexts (e.g., reproduction, parental care, and territoriality). More than thirty fish families are reported to produce sounds in agonistic contexts (Ladich and Myrberg 2006). The influence of sound in the evolution and ecology of fishes is underappreciated for both vocal and non-vocal fish taxa. Our research is concentrated on how bioacoustics influences the morphology, behavior, ecology and conservation of fishes.
Our current research interests are centered on 1) the origins and diversity of acoustic organs in fishes, 2) evolution of peripheral auditory structures in fishes, and 3) the acoustical ecology of soniferous fish populations. This research seeks to determine how and why sounds are produced in different teleost fish lineages and examines how fish overcome the challenges of producing audible sounds underwater. Research on the auditory periphery in fishes examines how skeletal, swim bladder, and skull morphologies associated with hearing may vary according to phylogeny and ecology. Current studies on the acoustical ecology of fish populations seek to improve the ability to screen long term passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) datasets of fishes in order to identify species by their sounds. PAM datasets can be used to assess long-term patterns of fish abundance and behavior cycles (e.g., spawning, nesting) as well as assessing risk of soniferous populations to exposure and interference from anthropogenic noise.
REFERENCES
Ladich F. 2004. Sound production and acoustic communication. In: von der Emde G, Mogdans J, Kapoor BG, editors. The Senses of Fish. New Delhi: Narosa Publishing House. p. 210-230.
Ladich F, Myrberg J, A. A. 2006. Agonistic behavior and acoustic communication. In: Ladich F, Collin SP, Moller P, Kapoor BG, editors. Communication in Fishes. Enfield NH: Science Publishers. p. 121-148.