Boat noise prevents soundscape-based habitat selection by coral planulae

Lecchini, David and Bertucci, Frédéric and Gache, Camille and Khalife, Adam and Besson, Marc and Roux, Natacha and Berthe, Cecile and Singh, Shubha S. and Parmentier, Eric and Nugues, Maggy M. and Brooker, Rohan M. and Dixson, Danielle L. and Hédouin, Laetitia (2018) Boat noise prevents soundscape-based habitat selection by coral planulae. Scientific Reports, TBC . TBC. ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

Understanding the relationship between coral reef condition and recruitment potential is vital for the
development of effective management strategies that maintain coral cover and biodiversity. Coral
larvae (planulae) have been shown to use certain sensory cues to orient towards settlement habitats
(e.g. the odour of live crustose coralline algae - CCA). However, the influence of auditory cues on coral
recruitment, and any effect of anthropogenic noise on this process, remain largely unknown. Here, we
determined the effect of protected reef (MPA), exploited reef (non-MPA) soundscapes, and a source of
anthropogenic noise (boat) on the habitat preference for live CCA over dead CCA in the planula of two
common Indo-Pacific coral species (Pocillopora damicornis and Acropora cytherea). Soundscapes from
protected reefs significantly increased the phonotaxis of planulae of both species towards live CCA,
especially when compared to boat noise. Boat noise playback prevented this preferential selection of
live CCA as a settlement substrate. These results suggest that sources of anthropogenic noise such as
motor boat can disrupt the settlement behaviours of coral planulae. Acoustic cues should be accounted
for when developing management strategies aimed at maximizing larval recruitment to coral reefs.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Marine Studies
Depositing User:	Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2018 23:54
Last Modified:	10 Sep 2018 23:54
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10997

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