Sound production mechanism in triggerfish (Balistidae): a synapomorphy

Xavier Raick (1) , David Lecchini (2) , Loic Kéver (1) , Orphal Colleye (1) , Frédéric Bertucci (2) , Eric Parmentier (1)

1 Université de Liège
2 CRIOBE - Centre de recherches insulaires et observatoire de l'environnement

The ability to produce sounds for acoustic communication is known in different Balistidae species but the eventual synapomorphic aspect of the mechanism remains to be shown. In Rhinecanthus aculeatus, sounds result from alternate sweeping movements of the right and left pectoral fins, which push a system of three scutes against the swim bladder wall. In this study, we made a comparison between the sounds produced by this species and two additional ones (Balistapus undulatus and Rhinecanthus rectangulus) using hand-held specimens to provide a description of the sound mechanism. The results highlighted that the sound production mechanism is similar in the three species. According to recent phylogenetic data and shared morphological features, this mechanism could be common to the majority of Balistidae family members and all species could be capable of sound production using pectoral fins.

Mots clés: Acoustic repertoire; Exaptation; Vocal communication; Swimbladder

Domaines: Biologie animale; Zoologie des vertébrés; Biodiversité; Systématique, phylogénie et taxonomie

Xavier Raick, David Lecchini, Loic Kéver, Orphal Colleye, Frédéric Bertucci, et al.. Sound production mechanism in triggerfish (Balistidae): a synapomorphy. Journal of Experimental Biology, 2018, 221 (1), pp.jeb168948. ⟨10.1242/jeb.168948⟩. ⟨hal-01954506⟩