Sensory ecology of acoustic communication: implications of a changing environment

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My central research program focuses on the role of sensory stimuli, primarily auditory and mechanosensory, in the sensory ecology and evolution of fishes. We have a fundamental interest in how fish process sensory signals and how this sensory information is used by the fish in its natural environment. In addition to our basic research questions in sensory neuroethology, my lab is also increasingly interested in how anthropogenic influences affect sensory processing and detection and what impacts these may have on fish communities and populations. It is important not only to document impacts of anthropogenic inputs to environments but also to assess ways in which different species may be able to respond to these impacts. By combining work on the natural sensory ecology of animals with human impacts on sensory processes we can better understand the evolution of sensory systems as well as provide important context to human influences. For the next 5 years, my research will follow these two complementary tracks to better understand sensory function of fishes and to also better quantify expected effects of increasing anthropogenic influences on fish health and populations. We will approach this research with three main short-term objectives:1) sensory ecology and integration of acoustic communication; 2) anthropogenic noise effects on fish health and fitness; and 3) sensory and behavioural flexibility in response to environmental stressors. Aim 1 will use a comparative approach to understand how sound inputs are integrated at the neural level and how variations in sound production may affect reproductive decisions at the organismal level. Aim 2 will quantify the underwater soundscape for both natural and anthropogenic inputs and then use playback experiments to test the effects of these sound sources on fish fitness. Aim 3 will combine information gleaned from aims 1 and 2 to test the importance of environmental stressors on fish behaviour and fitness and whether some species may have the flexibility to alter their behavioural dynamics or primary sensory systems used to allow amelioration of effects of these sensory stressors. Our multipronged approach not only works to better integrate fish sensory biology with effects of a changing environment but also greatly enhances the training of my HQP by training them with a diverse skill set. My students are highly trained in acoustics, neuroscience, video analysis, microdissection, fluorescent imaging, MATLAB programming and statistics, given them a valued skill set for the next stages of their careers.