WHOI biologist Aran Mooney places a cuttlefish, a close relative of squid, into a tank to test how it responds to sound. Mooney previously showed that sounds provoke nerve responses in some squid, suggesting the animals can hear, perhaps well enough to locate prey or navigate by sound. Now he is testing their behavioral responses to sounds. After letting the cuttlefish acclimate to the tank, Mooney will play sounds of various frequencies and levels and observe what, if anything, the cuttlefish does in response—shoot ink, change color, or swim away from or toward the source of the sound. The studies may reveal whether squid are sensitive to things such as shipping or construction noise. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Text, images, graphics and other material contained on this website are subject to copyright. For more information or to license material, please contact the WHOI Media Relations Office, media@whoi.edu or (508) 289-3340.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to research and education to advance understanding of the ocean and its interaction with the Earth system, and to communicating this understanding for the benefit of society. Learn more »
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Vimeo
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS Feeds
