Full Description

"Sound production by black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red hind (E. guttatus) was recorded yearround and at all times of day but occurred more often in the evening during the winter–spring spawning period than during other times of the day and year. This pattern for these species is consistent with results of previous studies that documented the association of sound production with reproductive behavior at spawning sites."

"Thus far, the sounds of Atlantic goliath grouper (E. itajara), red hind, red grouper, yellowfin grouper (M. venenosa), Nassau grouper, and black grouper have been positively identified and correlated with known spawning seasons (Mann et al., 2009; Mann et al., 2010; Nelson et al., 2011; Schärer et al., 2012, 2013)."

"Identifiable sounds produced in the lowest frequency range (<200 Hz) were associated mainly with 3 grouper species: red grouper, red hind, and black grouper."

"Sound production by each of these species was greatest during the evening period (1600–0000) but was not significantly different from any of the 3 time periods (black grouper: F=3.1, P=0.05; red grouper: F=1.4, P=0.24; and red hind: F=4.5, P=0.64) (Fig. 2). Diel variability in SPLs during the winter–spring period ranged from about 5 to 10 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa) above daily background levels in the frequency range used by groupers (<200 Hz) at all sites during 2011 and 2012 except RHDW."

"Sound production by each grouper species occurred year-round, but levels were highest from January through May and typically peaked in March for each species during 2011 and 2012 (Fig. 3)."

"Sound pressure levels recorded at site RHDW reached amplitudes that were 15 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa) greater than daytime background levels and were positively associated with the last quarter moon phase. All 3 grouper species were recorded at site RHDW, but sound production was dominated at this site by the red hind (Figs. 3 and 4)."

"Red and black groupers and red hind were the dominant grouper species recorded at Riley’s Hump, but other low-frequency, pulsed and modulated tonal calls were occasionally discovered during review of audio files."

"Sound production occurred during all lunar phases, but peaks were coincident with the last quarter moon phase."

"Temporal patterns in sound production by red grouper and red hind were similar to the patterns observed in analysis of previous recordings made at sites in the Gulf of Mexico and Puerto Rico, patterns in which sound production was positively correlated with spawning season (Mann et al., 2010; Nelson et al., 2011)."

"Data for the complete suite of these parameters do not exist for any grouper species; however, based on the highest received levels of 142.0 dB SPL (re: 1µPa) reported by Nelson et al. (2011) for red grouper and of 149.9 dB SPL (re: 1µPa) recorded in our study for black grouper, a reasonable estimate of communication ranges of groupers in a noisy reef habitat would be on the order of tens of meters"

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Behaviour Description Quotes

"Sound production by black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red hind (E. guttatus) was recorded yearround and at all times of day but occurred more often in the evening during the winter–spring spawning period than during other times of the day and year. This pattern for these species is consistent with results of previous studies that documented the association of sound production with reproductive behavior at spawning sites."

Full Description

"Three instances of calls by yellowfin grouper were positively identified in recordings made at site 12A during November 2010 by comparison with documented characteristic sound production of yellowfin grouper (Schärer et al., 2012)."

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Full Description

"Distinct diel and seasonal patterns of sound production by the longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) and bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) also were recorded."

"Sound production in the frequency range of 500–800 Hz was also dominated by a pulsatile call, typical of the family Pomacentridae and attributed to the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus). Some energy associated with this call extended above and below the range of 500–800 Hz but was minimal by comparison."

"This call type occurred at all sites between late March and mid-July and had an associated lunar period that began on or within 2 days of the full moon and continued to about the first quarter moon of the following lunar cycle, a period of approximately 18–20 days. Nightly maximum SPLs associated with this call were about 25 dB above daytime background levels during peak season, and they increased rapidly just after the full moon and decreased rapidly near the new moon (Fig. 8)."

"Sound production, termed chirping, is used in conjunction with short vertical ascents and dives, termed dipping, by males to attract females to nest sites. Lunar patterns in sound production were very similar to those patterns described for spawning by this species. Schmale (1981) reported that most spawning by bicolor damselfish occurred between the full moon and just after the first quarter moon—timing that corresponds to the onset and sustained period of sound production by bicolor damselfish that was recorded in our study."

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Behaviour Description Quotes

"Sound production, termed chirping, is used in conjunction with short vertical ascents and dives, termed dipping, by males to attract females to nest sites. Lunar patterns in sound production were very similar to those patterns described for spawning by this species. Schmale (1981) reported that most spawning by bicolor damselfish occurred between the full moon and just after the first quarter moon—timing that corresponds to the onset and sustained period of sound production by bicolor damselfish that was recorded in our study."

Sound Name Quotes

"Sound production in the frequency range of 500–800 Hz was also dominated by a pulsatile call, typical of the family Pomacentridae and attributed to the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus). Some energy associated with this call extended above and below the range of 500–800 Hz but was minimal by comparison."

"Sound production, termed chirping, is used in conjunction with short vertical ascents and dives, termed dipping, by males to attract females to nest sites. Lunar patterns in sound production were very similar to those patterns described for spawning by this species. Schmale (1981) reported that most spawning by bicolor damselfish occurred between the full moon and just after the first quarter moon—timing that corresponds to the onset and sustained period of sound production by bicolor damselfish that was recorded in our study."

Full Description

"Sound production by black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red hind (E. guttatus) was recorded yearround and at all times of day but occurred more often in the evening during the winter–spring spawning period than during other times of the day and year. This pattern for these species is consistent with results of previous studies that documented the association of sound production with reproductive behavior at spawning sites."

"Thus far, the sounds of Atlantic goliath grouper (E. itajara), red hind, red grouper, yellowfin grouper (M. venenosa), Nassau grouper, and black grouper have been positively identified and correlated with known spawning seasons (Mann et al., 2009; Mann et al., 2010; Nelson et al., 2011; Schärer et al., 2012, 2013)."

"Identifiable sounds produced in the lowest frequency range (<200 Hz) were associated mainly with 3 grouper species: red grouper, red hind, and black grouper."

"Sound production by each of these species was greatest during the evening period (1600–0000) but was not significantly different from any of the 3 time periods (black grouper: F=3.1, P=0.05; red grouper: F=1.4, P=0.24; and red hind: F=4.5, P=0.64) (Fig. 2). Diel variability in SPLs during the winter–spring period ranged from about 5 to 10 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa) above daily background levels in the frequency range used by groupers (<200 Hz) at all sites during 2011 and 2012 except RHDW."

"Sound production by each grouper species occurred year-round, but levels were highest from January through May and typically peaked in March for each species during 2011 and 2012 (Fig. 3)."

"Sound pressure levels recorded at site RHDW reached amplitudes that were 15 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa) greater than daytime background levels and were positively associated with the last quarter moon phase. All 3 grouper species were recorded at site RHDW, but sound production was dominated at this site by the red hind (Figs. 3 and 4)."

"Red and black groupers and red hind were the dominant grouper species recorded at Riley’s Hump, but other low-frequency, pulsed and modulated tonal calls were occasionally discovered during review of audio files."

"Sound production occurred during all lunar phases, but peaks were coincident with the last quarter moon phase."

"Temporal patterns in sound production by red grouper and red hind were similar to the patterns observed in analysis of previous recordings made at sites in the Gulf of Mexico and Puerto Rico, patterns in which sound production was positively correlated with spawning season (Mann et al., 2010; Nelson et al., 2011)."

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Behaviour Description Quotes

"Sound production by black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red hind (E. guttatus) was recorded yearround and at all times of day but occurred more often in the evening during the winter–spring spawning period than during other times of the day and year. This pattern for these species is consistent with results of previous studies that documented the association of sound production with reproductive behavior at spawning sites."

Full Description

"Several instances of a call type that resembled that of the Nassau grouper were also noted in recordings made during winter–early spring at site RHDW."

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Full Description

"Distinct diel and seasonal patterns of sound production by the longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) and bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) also were recorded."

"Sound production in the frequency range of 300–400 Hz was dominated by the longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus)."

"This species produced a pulsatile call with received SPLs of 6.0–8.0 dB (re: 1 µPa) above daytime background levels. The diel pattern was crepuscular with slightly higher SPLs reached during the evening than during the morning. Patterns in the SPLs and timing of this call type began in early spring and continued through late summer and early fall. These patterns were similar among sites and between years, and they were not associated with a lunar period (Fig. 7)."

"Recordings were made as longspine squirrelfish emitted sounds just before retreating into their den after they were approached by a diver. This agonistic behavior is associated with sound production by this species. This behavioral context, together with this species’ strong site fidelity to dens (Ménard, et. al, 2008) and its nocturnal behavior, may explain the crepuscular pattern observed in sound production by this species in our study."

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Behaviour Description Quotes

"Recordings were made as longspine squirrelfish emitted sounds just before retreating into their den after they were approached by a diver. This agonistic behavior is associated with sound production by this species. This behavioral context, together with this species’ strong site fidelity to dens (Ménard, et. al, 2008) and its nocturnal behavior, may explain the crepuscular pattern observed in sound production by this species in our study."

Sound Name Quotes

"This species produced a pulsatile call with received SPLs of 6.0–8.0 dB (re: 1 µPa) above daytime background levels. The diel pattern was crepuscular with slightly higher SPLs reached during the evening than during the morning. Patterns in the SPLs and timing of this call type began in early spring and continued through late summer and early fall. These patterns were similar among sites and between years, and they were not associated with a lunar period (Fig. 7)."

Full Description

"Sound production by black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red hind (E. guttatus) was recorded yearround and at all times of day but occurred more often in the evening during the winter–spring spawning period than during other times of the day and year. This pattern for these species is consistent with results of previous studies that documented the association of sound production with reproductive behavior at spawning sites."

"Thus far, the sounds of Atlantic goliath grouper (E. itajara), red hind, red grouper, yellowfin grouper (M. venenosa), Nassau grouper, and black grouper have been positively identified and correlated with known spawning seasons (Mann et al., 2009; Mann et al., 2010; Nelson et al., 2011; Schärer et al., 2012, 2013)."

"Identifiable sounds produced in the lowest frequency range (<200 Hz) were associated mainly with 3 grouper species: red grouper, red hind, and black grouper."

"Sound production by each of these species was greatest during the evening period (1600–0000) but was not significantly different from any of the 3 time periods (black grouper: F=3.1, P=0.05; red grouper: F=1.4, P=0.24; and red hind: F=4.5, P=0.64) (Fig. 2). Diel variability in SPLs during the winter–spring period ranged from about 5 to 10 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa) above daily background levels in the frequency range used by groupers (<200 Hz) at all sites during 2011 and 2012 except RHDW."

"Sound production by each grouper species occurred year-round, but levels were highest from January through May and typically peaked in March for each species during 2011 and 2012 (Fig. 3)."

"Sound pressure levels recorded at site RHDW reached amplitudes that were 15 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa) greater than daytime background levels and were positively associated with the last quarter moon phase. All 3 grouper species were recorded at site RHDW, but sound production was dominated at this site by the red hind (Figs. 3 and 4)."

"Red and black groupers and red hind were the dominant grouper species recorded at Riley’s Hump, but other low-frequency, pulsed and modulated tonal calls were occasionally discovered during review of audio files."

"Sound production occurred during all lunar phases, but peaks were coincident with the last quarter moon phase."

"Two variations of the call of black grouper were identified. One variation, BGV1, was composed of a relatively long, frequency-modulated tonal portion only. The other variation, BGV2, was composed of an initial, shorter-duration frequency-modulated tone followed by several individual pulses and concluded with a longer frequency-modulated tonal portion characteristic of the BGV1 (Fig. 5, A–D). The long, frequency-modulated tonal portion common to both variations (n=20) had a mean duration of 5.2 s (standard deviation [SD] 1.2) and was modulated between 60–120 Hz at a mean rate of 170 ms (SD 0.03. The highest received root-mean-square (RMS) SPL for the long, frequency-modulated portion of the call was estimated at 149.9 dB RMS SPL (re: 1 µPa). The highest received RMS SPL for the introductory portion of the call only and the overall combined portions of the call were 143.3 and 144.3 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa), respectively."

"On this occasion, one fish with a blotched pattern approached another more monochromic fish from below and behind and briefly made contact as it passed under the rear portion of the other’s body. The 2 fish then swam slowly away in opposite directions and out of the video frame (Fig. 6, A–D). The blotch-patterned fish swam toward the camera and out of the frame, and within 10 s a relatively high amplitude (149.9 dB SPL) BGV1 call was recorded. This behavior could indicate possible courtship, but it could also represent a territorial display."

"The results of our study show that sound production of black grouper occurs yearround, but at levels higher from December through May than during other periods."

"For reference, estimates of source levels produced by black drum (Pogonias cromis) are 165 dB RMS SPL (re: 1 µPa) (Locascio and Mann, 2011b)."

Observation Environment Quotes

"Acoustic digital spectrum recorders (Loggerhead Instruments3, Sarasota, FL) were deployed at 7 locations on Riley’s Hump during multiple periods from 2010 through 2012 (Table 1; Fig. 1)."

Behaviour Description Quotes

"Sound production by black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), red grouper (Epinephelus morio), and red hind (E. guttatus) was recorded yearround and at all times of day but occurred more often in the evening during the winter–spring spawning period than during other times of the day and year. This pattern for these species is consistent with results of previous studies that documented the association of sound production with reproductive behavior at spawning sites. "

"On this occasion, one fish with a blotched pattern approached another more monochromic fish from below and behind and briefly made contact as it passed under the rear portion of the other’s body. The 2 fish then swam slowly away in opposite directions and out of the video frame (Fig. 6, A–D). The blotch-patterned fish swam toward the camera and out of the frame, and within 10 s a relatively high amplitude (149.9 dB SPL) BGV1 call was recorded. This behavior could indicate possible courtship, but it could also represent a territorial display."

Sound Name Quotes

"Two variations of the call of black grouper were identified. One variation, BGV1, was composed of a relatively long, frequency-modulated tonal portion only. The other variation, BGV2, was composed of an initial, shorter-duration frequency-modulated tone followed by several individual pulses and concluded with a longer frequency-modulated tonal portion characteristic of the BGV1 (Fig. 5, A–D). The long, frequency-modulated tonal portion common to both variations (n=20) had a mean duration of 5.2 s (standard deviation [SD] 1.2) and was modulated between 60–120 Hz at a mean rate of 170 ms (SD 0.03. The highest received root-mean-square (RMS) SPL for the long, frequency-modulated portion of the call was estimated at 149.9 dB RMS SPL (re: 1 µPa). The highest received RMS SPL for the introductory portion of the call only and the overall combined portions of the call were 143.3 and 144.3 dB SPL (re: 1 µPa), respectively."