Shrimps ‘rumble’ to keep predators at bay
September 9th, 2011 - 3:35 pm ICT by IANSWashington, Sep 9 (IANS) How do shrimps on the ocean floor communicate to keep predators at bay, entice mates and protect their homes?
Mantis shrimps make noise, seemingly in individual ‘voices’, say University of Miami scientists.
The males make rhythmic ‘rumbles’ in groups of three that may help to attract females to their burrows or defend their territories against neighbouring males, the journal Aquatic Biology reports.
Scientists studied these shrimps, measuring eight to 10 inches, off the coast of Catalina Island, California, according to a Miami statement.
“These sounds recorded in the field were different than what we recorded in tanks, so to hear these creatures communicating in the wild was very special,” said Erica Staaterman of Miami, who led the study.
“Our research team noted the ‘rumbles’ were so synchronized that it sounded like a chorus, similar to that of groups of birds or frogs,” she added.
“There has always been suspicion that burrow-dwelling creatures like the mantis shrimp make some sort of noise, and our research is going to help us better understand life and communication on the ocean floor,” Staaterman said.
After collecting data using various instruments that included a coupled audio-video system, a hydrophone array and an autonomous recording unit, the team was able to develop theories about communication on the ocean floor.
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Tags: array, biology, birds, burrow, burrows, catalina island california, creatures, dwelling, females, frogs, mantis shrimp, mates, ocean floor, predators, scientists, suspicion, tanks, university of miami, video system, voices