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Effects of anthropogenic noise on the acoustic behaviour of Sotalia guianensis (Van Bénéden, 1864) in Pipa, North-eastern Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2016

Dalila T. Leão Martins ,
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos  and
Flávio José De Lima Silva
Dalila T. Leão Martins*
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós Graduação em Psicobiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Marcos R. Rossi-Santos
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós Graduação em Psicobiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Laboratório de Ecologia Acústica e Comportamento Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas. Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Campus Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil
Flávio José De Lima Silva
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós Graduação em Psicobiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Departamento de Turismo, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Airton Senna, 4241, Neópolis – Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: D.T. Leão Martins, Programa de Pós Graduação em Psicobiologia, Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Campus Universitário Lagoa Nova, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil email: dalilaleao@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study investigated the emission of subaquatic noise from recreational tourism motorboats, schooners and a sea-bottom mounted water pump. Analyses demonstrated alterations in several whistle (IF: t = 2.42, P = 0.015; FF: t = −2.22, P = 0.025) and calls patterns (MIF: t = −3.13, P = 0.001; MAF: t = −3.49, P = 0.0005; FD: t = −2.21, P = 0.027; D: t = 2.89, P = 0.004), caused primarily by motorboats. Duration of clicks was also modified (D: t = −3.85, P = 0.0001), mainly by the water pump. The frequency range of all noises (0.43–35.8 kHz) overlaps that used by dolphins (1–48 kHz), causing sound emissions changes, with a considerable increase in number of whistles and a reduction in clicks trains. These changes may be a strategy developed by these dolphins to overcome the noise band. Mitigation measures, such as boating regulations and environmental education for the local community, boaters and tourists are needed to conserve the species. The Guiana dolphin population is apparently already suffering, evidenced by diminished residence time and reduced number of individuals entering the inlet during the presence of pleasure craft.

Keywords

vessel noiseNorth-eastern BrazilGuiana dolphinSotalia guianensisPipa beachacoustic behaviour
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 98 , Issue 2 , March 2018 , pp. 215 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2016 

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