No evidence for an effect of chronic boat noise on the fitness of reared water fleas

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWAmong the numerous questions about human impacts on ecosystems, there is a growing interest for acoustic pollution. First studies on underwater acoustic pollution focused, and showed effects, on vertebrates behaviours. Knowledge on the effects on invertebrates is more limited and there is a huge lack concerning zooplankton species, although widely used as bioindicators in chemical pollution. Consequently, it is critical to assess the impact of noise on zooplanktons fitness (survival and fecundity). Here, isolated water fleas, Daphnia magna, were reared from birth to death in the presence or absence of motorboat noises. Effects on lifespan and clonal offspring production (e.g., clutch size, number of offspring produced along life) were assessed and chronic exposure to boat noise did not affect Daphnias fitness. The spectral and temporal features of the sounds could explain the results. This study highlights the importance of integrating noise pollution into ecotoxicological research to understand, and prevent, human impacts on communities.