Meeting Abstract
Noise pollution from anthropogenic sources is an increasingly problematic challenge faced by many taxa, including fishes. Noise generated from boat engines induces both a significant elevation in cortisol secretion and a shift in auditory thresholds in exposed fishes. Recent studies also confirm that vehicular traffic noise propagates effectively from bridge crossings into surrounding freshwater ecosystems; however, its effect on the stress response and hearing capacities of freshwater fishes has not been examined. The Blacktail Shiner (Cyprinella venusta) is a soniferous hearing specialist found throughout the Southeastern United States and was used as a model to investigate the degree to which traffic noise impacts stress and hearing. Fish exposed to an underwater recording of interstate traffic exhibited a significant elevation in cortisol levels. Hearing threshold shifts for this species occurred at the frequencies of 300 and 400 Hz, where their hearing is most sensitive. Future work aims to elucidate the relationship between cortisol and hearing threshold integrity.
