Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: TULIO FREIRE XAVIER

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE: TULIO FREIRE XAVIER
DATA : 07/07/2026
LOCAL: VIDEOCONFERÊNCIA
TÍTULO:

Foraging-related sounds in parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarini): characterization and interspecific variation using low-cost underwater recorders

 

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:

Parrotfish. Foraging sounds. Foraging activity. Coral reef. Sound characterization.

PÁGINAS: 20
RESUMO:

Parrotfish’s feeding activities are key for coral reef ecosystems, and during foraging, sounds are produced through direct interaction between their fused teeth and the reef substrate. The characteristics of these sounds remain poorly explored, but could provide important information for ecological studies. This study aimed to characterize and compare the bite sounds of three parrotfish species, Sparisoma axillare, Scarus trispinosus, and Scarus zelindae, off the eastern Brazilian coast. Combined sound and video recordings were made during SCUBA dives, using low-cost underwater recorders (AudioMoth) and GoPro cameras, and 3.000 bite sounds were analyzed. Overall, sounds were signals with short duration (60 to 125 ms), broadband with multiple pulses (90% bandwidth between 22 and 28 kHz), and with sound energy distributed across a wide range of frequencies (peak frequency: 1.5 to 3.6 kHz, center frequency: 8 to 16 kHz). For all species, sound levels (RMS) decreased consistently with distance from source (−12 to −29 dBFS). Multivariate analyses indicated significant differentiation among species, with sound duration, 90% bandwidth, and center frequency emerging as the most important parameters for species discrimination. Cross-validation tests indicated that 77.3% of individual bite sounds could be correctly assigned to the species emitting them. Except for sound duration, all sound parameters were related to fish body size, and larger individuals produced sounds with higher levels, lower frequencies, and larger 90% bandwidths. These findings demonstrate that bite sounds vary consistently across species and can be used as reliable indicators of parrotfish foraging activity in coral reef environments.

 

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Presidente - 2320121 - JOAO LUCAS LEAO FEITOSA
Externa à Instituição - NATALIA CARVALHO ROOS
Interna - ***.728.884-** - PAULA BRAGA GOMES - UFRPE
Interno - 3474228 - PAULO BRAGA MASCARENHAS JUNIOR