New insights into sound production in <I>Carapus mourlani</I> (Carapidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT.-Carapus mourlani (Petit, 1934) is a commensal of sea stars and has the ability to produce sounds. Interestingly, we show here that this fish has a larger repertoire than previously recorded. Carapus mourlani can produce trains of 2-6 pulses, suites of double-pulses, staccatos of 2-17 weak pulses, and hums. These sounds are most probably emitted for species identification and for conspecific attraction, but we do not know their exact functions because they were all produced once the fish were inside the host. The ability to produce various specific messages indicates this behavior is important to the biology of this symbiotic, nocturnal species.

Sound production and sonic apparatus in deep-living cusk-eels (Genypterus chilensis and Genypterus maculatus)

“…These features clearly support the importance of sonic communication in the Ophidiiformes (Fine et al, 2018(Fine et al, , 2007Nguyen et al, 2008). Since many species live in deep water (Nielsen et al, 1999) sound recordings have only been made for a few shallow species from the Carapidae (Kéver et al, 2014c;Parmentier et al, 2016aParmentier et al, , 2016bParmentier et al, , 2018bParmentier et al, , 2003 and Ophidiidae (Kéver et al, 2016Mooney et al, 2016;Rountree and Bowers-Altman, 2002).…”

“…First parapohyses are found on the sixth vertebra. The third epineurals is enlarged and corresponds to the swimbladder plate found in different Ophidiiform species (Howes, 1992;Parmentier et al, 2010Parmentier et al, , 2016aParmentier et al, , 2016bParmentier et al, 2010Parmentier et al, , 2010Parmentier et al, , 2003 The bladder lies under the first through thirteenth vertebrae and is tightly coupled to the vertebral column through the ninth vertebra. The swimbladder is a slender sac consisting of a single chamber, which possesses two lateral tubercles anteriorly.…”

“…Among potential callers in deep environments, Ophidiiform species are good candidates for several reasons. Sound-producing mechanisms 1) are found in all but one species examined to date (Howes, 1992;Marshall, 1967), 2) are quite complex with up to 6 sonic muscles (3 pairs) in some species and deep modifications of the swimbladder, rostral vertebral bodies and associated epineurals (Parmentier et al, 2010(Parmentier et al, , 2008a(Parmentier et al, , 2006aRose, 1961), 3) are able to produce different sounds (Mann et al, 1997;Parmentier et al, 2016aParmentier et al, , 2016bParmentier et al, , 2018bParmentier et al, , 2008bSprague and Luczkovich, 2001) and have sexually dimorphic sonic systems (Ali et al, 2016;Casadevall et al, 1996;Kéver et al, 2014aKéver et al, , 2014cNguyen et al, 2008;Rose, 1961). These features clearly support the importance of sonic communication in the Ophidiiformes (Fine et al, 2018(Fine et al, , 2007Nguyen et al, 2008).…”

Taxonomic validation of Encheliophis chardewalli with description of calling abilities

“…Moreover, we take advantage of these quite unusual living specimens to record their sounds and determine if they are distinct from sounds of other Carapini species. The recording protocol is the one usually used with carapids Parmentier et al, 2008;K ever et al, 2014;Parmentier, Colleye et al, 2016). A specimen of the host was placed in the center of the tank, and several individuals were introduced successively into the aquarium.…”

“…Species of the genera Onuxodon and Carapus are commensals whereas Encheliophis species are parasites (Parmentier & Das, ). Members of this family produce sounds (Parmentier, Vandewalle, & Lagardère, ; Parmentier, Lagardère, Chancerelle, Dufrane, & Eeckhaut, ; Kéver et al, ; Parmentier, Colleye, & Lecchini, ), which have been recorded (a) when several individuals of the same species were inside the same host (Parmentier, Vandewalle et al, ; Kéver et al, ), (b) when specimens of different species meet each other inside the host (Lagardère, Millot, & Parmentier, ), (c) when the fish were freely swimming (Parmentier, Fine, Vandewalle, Ducamp, & Lagardère, ) or (d) when competing for access to the host aperture (Parmentier, Fine et al, ). In the Carapini tribe grouping Encheliophis and Carapus (Markle & Olney, ; Parmentier, Castillo, Chardon, & Vandewalle, ), sound production is caused by contraction of two long primary sonic muscles (PSM) that run from the upper wall of the orbit to the anterior face of the swimbladder (Courtenay & McKittrick, ; Parmentier, Lagardère, Braquegnier, Vandewalle, & Fine, ).…”