Experimental sound exposure studies on aquatic animals: An early attempt to develop underwater bioacoustics in Iran

Sound-generating human activities have elevated ambient sound levels in aquatic habitats. Many aquatic animals also live in captivity for several purposes. Likewise, in aquatic habitats, there are also anthropogenic sound sources in captivity and under laboratory conditions. There is growing evidence that anthropogenic sound can have several impacts on aquatic life. In this presentation, behavioral studies exploring anthropogenic sound effects on aquatic animals that have been carried out in Iran will be reviewed (an invertebrate, the red cherry shrimp, and a vertebrate, the zebrafish). In a laboratory-based experiment, it was shown that generated sound exposure caused negative effects on sound-related spatial distribution and feeding performance in the red cherry shrimp. Zebrafish changed their swimming speed and foraging activities when exposed to sound. To increase biological relevance and behavioral interpretation, it is important to consider addressing sound components, both pressure level and particle motion, as well as designing experiments in a natural environment and in real-world conditions. Finally, limitations in underwater bioacoustics studies in Iran will be addressed.