The Effect of Anthropogenic Sound on Foraging Behavior in Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
摘要
Anthropogenic sound can disrupt fish populations by damaging auditory structures and interfering with essential behaviors, including foraging, migration, and reproduction. Evidence suggests that fish chronically exposed to motorboat noise may behave differently than those from quieter habitats. To test this, the authors examined foraging behavior in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) collected from a lake with no motor activity (Lake Sagatagan, Collegeville, MN) and a lake with regular motorboat use (Upper Spunk Lake, Avon, MN). Fish were exposed to daily playback of motorboat noise (0.06–10 kHz; 150 dB re: 1 μPa) to assess whether noise history and acute noise exposure influenced prey consumption. Groups of five bluegill were tested in 2-day trials across four conditions (n = 5 trials per condition): fish from the motorboat-prohibited lake with and without noise playback, and fish from motorboat-permitted lake with and without noise playback. Prey (fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas) were replenished three times per trial to maintain a constant density of 10 minnows. There were no statistically significant differences in prey consumption among treatment groups, indicating that neither lake-of-origin nor acute motorboat noise exposure affected foraging performance. However, fish consumed more prey on day 1 than day 2, suggesting acclimation or satiation effects over time.