Unveiling nature’s beat: analyzing the acoustics of an aquatic bug in relation to urban sounds

Abstract

Anthropophony is a prominent component of the soundscapes worldwide and is known to affect biota. Although responses to antropophony in terrestrial and marine animals have been relatively well studied, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding freshwater biota. In fact, freshwater taxa are possibly among the most threatened groups and so unveiling the reasons of threat is key. We investigated the low-frequency sounds - usually associated with anthropophony - on the stridulation of Krizousacorixa femorata, a common water bug in Mexico City. Using aerial recordings, we estimated the Normalized Difference Soundscape Index (NDSI) to characterize soundscapes in six city sites throughout a year. Also, we obtained the peak frequency (Pf) through underwater recordings. By last, we evaluated the relationships between the soundscapes and the Pf through a mixed linear model. There was a negative relation between NDSI and Pf, so there are higher-pitched stridulations at sites with dominant anthropophony. We cannot discard other factors that contribute to stridulation variation. Nonetheless, we ignore how low-frequency sounds impact freshwater ecosystems, and the intricate relationship between soundscapes and aquatic life in urban settings. Implications for insect conservation: There is a correlation between anthropophony and variations in the stridulation of aquatic bugs. This highlights the possibility of sound pollution on freshwater systems, emphasizing the need for assessment to better understand and prevent potential harm to aquatic insects.