Reproductive Behavior and Acoustical Interactions

Sounds directly associated with the reproductive habits of fishes have been described in nine families of marine fish and twelve families of freshwater. The sound producers are identified and brief descriptions of their sounds provided. The functions of such sounds, e.g. attraction, species recognition are elucidated when known. Broadcasting such signals can be dangerous to senders and even their intended receivers; examples are provided of interceptors, i.e. unintended receivers, such as predators, competitors, and even parasites. Evolutionary and functional considerations of acoustical communication are then discussed. Lastly, several environmental parameters of underwater acoustical communication are also discussed: sound propagation, pattern loss, and ambient noise, the latter leading to an interesting evolutionary consideration of its effects on hearing mechanisms.