Ontogenetic variation in the auditory sensitivity of black sea bass () and the implications of anthropogenic sound on behavior and communication.

Black sea bass () is an important fish species in both commercial and recreational fisheries of southern New England and the mid-Atlantic Bight. Due to the intense urbanization of these waters, this species is subject to a wide range of anthropogenic noise pollution. Concerns that are negatively affected by pile driving and construction noise predominate in areas earmarked for energy development. However, as yet, the hearing range of is unknown, making it hard to evaluate potential risks. This study is a first step in understanding the effects of anthropogenic noise on by determining the auditory detection bandwidth and thresholds of this species using auditory evoked potentials, creating pressure and acceleration audiograms. These physiological tests were conducted on wild-caught in three size/age categories. Results showed that juvenile had the significantly lowest thresholds, with auditory sensitivity decreasing in the larger size classes. Furthermore, has fairly sensitive sound detection relative to other related species. Preliminary investigations into the mechanisms of their sound detection ability were undertaken with gross dissections and an opportunistic micro-computed tomography image to address the auditory structures including otoliths and swim bladder morphology. Crucially, the auditory detection bandwidth of , and their most sensitive frequencies, directly overlap with high-amplitude anthropogenic noise pollution such as shipping and underwater construction.