Induction of settlement in mussel (Perna canaliculus) larvae by vessel noise

Underwater sound plays an important role in the settlement behaviour of many coastal organisms. Large steel-hulled vessels are known to be a major source of underwater sound in the marine environment. The possibility that underwater sound from vessels may promote biofouling of hulls through triggeri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2012-01, Vol.28 (1), p.65-72
Main Authors: Wilkens, S.L., Stanley, J.A., Jeffs, A.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biofouling
Bivalvia - growth & development
Bivalvia - physiology
Container ports
Ferries
Hulls
Larva - growth & development
Larva - physiology
Larvae
Larval settlement
Marine environment
Mollusks
mussel
Mussels
Noise
Perna - growth & development
Perna - physiology
Perna canaliculus
Seawater
Ships
Sound
Steel
Substrata
Underwater
Underwater acoustics
Underwater noise
underwater sound
vessel noise
Vessels
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Summary:Underwater sound plays an important role in the settlement behaviour of many coastal organisms. Large steel-hulled vessels are known to be a major source of underwater sound in the marine environment. The possibility that underwater sound from vessels may promote biofouling of hulls through triggering natural larval settlement cues was investigated for the mussel, Perna canaliculus. The mussel larvae showed significantly faster settlement when exposed to the underwater noise produced by a 125-m long steel-hulled passenger and freight ferry. Median time to attachment on the substrata (ie settlement) was reduced by 22% and the time taken for all experimental larvae to settle was reduced by 40% relative to a silent control. There was no difference in the survival of the mussel larvae among the various noise treatments. The decrease in settlement time of the mussel larvae appeared to correlate with the intensity of the vessel sound, suggesting that underwater sound emanating from vessels may be an important factor in exacerbating hull fouling by mussels.
ISSN:0892-7014
1029-2454
DOI:10.1080/08927014.2011.651717