Intelligence Squared
A Deep Dive into the Sounds of the Seas, with Amorina Kingdon
Sep 2, 2024
Amorina Kingdon, an award-winning science writer and author of *Sing Like Fish*, dives into the fascinating world of underwater sounds. She reveals how marine creatures communicate and navigate through sound, sharing stories like the plainfin midshipman fish’s unique mating calls. Kingdon also discusses the significant impact of human noise pollution on these delicate ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts. The conversation opens a sonic window into the hidden life of the ocean, showcasing its beauty and vulnerability.
52:10
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Quick takeaways
- Marine animals utilize sophisticated sound communication for essential functions, a skill not easily perceived by humans underwater.
- Historical military interests shaped early underwater sound studies, often overshadowing the ecological importance of marine animal communication.
Deep dives
The Role of Sound in Marine Life
Marine animals rely on sound for various essential functions, such as finding food, mating, and evading predators. Unlike humans, who experience considerable difficulty identifying sound underwater, many marine species have evolved to utilize sound in sophisticated ways. For instance, fish like cleaner wrasse use sound to communicate in symbiotic relationships, navigating their interactions with larger fish that seek their cleansing services. Understanding the underwater acoustics reveals a complex landscape where sound plays a critical role, yet this complexity remains largely hidden from human perception.
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