Are semi-terrestrial crabs threatened by human noise? Assessment of behavioural and biochemical responses of Neohelice granulata (Brachyura, Varunidae) in tank

SAL MOYANO MP; SCIACCA V; LORUSSO M; GAVIO MA; DE VINCENZI G; M. CIELO BAZTERRICA; MAZZOLA S; FILICIOTTO F; FERNANDO J. HIDALGO; CORRIAS V; BUSCAINO G

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2018 vol. 137 p. 24 - 34

0025-326X

This study examined the effects of generated sweep tone noise on the behaviour and biochemistry of the semi-terrestrial crab (Neohelice granulata) in single and grouped configuration trials. The experiment was carried out in tank equipped with video- and audio-recording system on a total number of seventy-eight specimens. The experimental trials were performed under two conditions:control and sweep tone exposition. After habituation period of 30 minutes, the locomotor behaviours and the acoustic signals emitted by the crabs were monitored for 30 minutes. During this experimental time, the animals in sweep tone condition were exposed to ascending sweeps in a bandwidth of 2.5 ? 25 kHz. The exposure to sweep tone noise produced significant changes in number of signals emitted, locomotor behaviours and plasma parameters as total haemocyte count, glucose, lactate and total protein concentration, revealing that the noise generated could represent a threat for this crustacean species