How many fish could be vocal? An estimation from a coral reef (Moorea Island)

Eric Parmentier (1) , Frédéric Bertucci (2, 3) , Marta Bolgan (1) , David Lecchini (3, 4)

1 Université de Liège
2 BOREA - Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques
3 LabEX CORAIL - Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL
4 CRIOBE - Centre de recherches insulaires et observatoire de l'environnement

A recurrent question arising in fish bioacoustics research concerns the number of vocal fish species that may exist. Although it is not possible to provide a precise globally valid number, an estimation based on recordings already collected at coral reefs (Moorea) and on morphological approaches indicates that approximately half of the fish families of this particular environment has at least one known sound-producing species. In light of this, acoustic behaviour should be fully considered in biology, ecology and management plans as it may provide information on a consistent portion of fish biodiversity. Fish bioacoustics has switched from anecdotal reports to long-term, large-scale monitoring studies, capable of providing high resolution information on fish populations’ composition and dynamics. This information is vital for successful management plans in our quickly changing seas.

Mots clés: Acoustic; biodiversity; monitoring; sonic; teleost

Domaines: Zoologie des vertébrés; Biodiversité et Ecologie; Biophysique [physics.bio-ph]

Eric Parmentier, Frédéric Bertucci, Marta Bolgan, David Lecchini. How many fish could be vocal? An estimation from a coral reef (Moorea Island). Belgian Journal of Zoology, 2021, 151, pp.82. ⟨10.26496/bjz.2021.82⟩. ⟨hal-03239976⟩