The effects of anthropogenic sound on embryonic little skates (Leucoraja erinacea) and chain catsharks (Scyliorhinus retifer).

Abstract

There are increasing concerns from scientists and policymakers regarding the potential effects of sound on aquatic life. While mobile species can move away from sound sources, slow-moving or sessile organisms are unable to escape. Many species of elasmobranchs are oviparous and deposit egg cases that remain in a fixed position on or near the seabed with development times ranging from months to over a year. The auditory sensitivity of elasmobranchs has been relatively understudied compared with that of marine mammals and teleost fish, with little known about the effect of sound on adults and almost nothing reported on how sound may impact developing embryos. Therefore, the effect of sound on the behavior of late-stage embryonic little skates (Leucoraja erinacea) and chain catsharks (Scyliorhinus retifer) in their egg case was monitored. Both species reacted to sound prior to hatching. Little skates interrupted tail movements in response to 300 and 400 Hz pure tones as well as playbacks of boat sound, while chain catsharks ceased respiratory movements during boat sound playbacks. Thus, late-stage embryos can detect and are affected by sound, and fisheries managers may need to account for the impact of anthropogenic sound near oviparous elasmobranch breeding grounds.