Daytime boat sound does not affect the behavior of wild thorny oysters (Spondylus americanus): A field-based study

Abstract

There is increasing awareness of boat sound effects on coral reef assemblages. While behavioral disturbances have been found in fishes, the effects on marine invertebrates remain largely unknown. Here, the behavioral effects of recreational boat sound on thorny oysters at two coral reef habitats within the U.S. Virgin Island National Park were assessed. The “treatment” site was characterized by frequent boat traffic, which increased daytime mean particle acceleration levels (PALrms) by more than 6 dB, while mean PALrms at the “control” site were not contaminated by boat sound. Despite these contrasting soundscapes, all oysters showed the same diurnal cycle, with their valves open at night and partially closed during the day. There was no statistical evidence of behavioral responses in oysters exposed to daytime boat sound. This can be explained by low auditory sensitivity, habituation to a noisy environment due to the pervasiveness of boat sound pollution, or that boat sound may not represent an immediate concern for this species. These findings contrast with laboratory studies that have shown behavioral responses in bivalves exposed to boat sound, highlighting the need for more realistic field-based studies when evaluating potential effects of anthropogenic sounds on this group.