Whales and dolphins aren’t the only marine creatures bothered by the increasing amount of undersea noise. The first study to detail the physical toll of low-frequency noise on cephalopods has revealed a surprising amount of trauma, according to a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Environment.
In four separate species, noise exposure resulted in significant permanent damage in the statocyst, the fluid-filled structure in a cephalopod’s head responsible for helping the animal determine its position and maintain balance. Hair cells and nerve fibres in the statocyst were missing or damaged within 12 hours of noise exposure. And, in the worst cases, large holes were present immediately in the sensory epithelium of the statocyst—and became more pronounced 96 hours after noise exposure. The noise impact was acute and immediate, yet worsened over time — via redwolf.newsvine.com
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