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Data from: No trout about it: Behavioural and transcriptional effects of long-term noise exposure in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

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Mar 12, 2025 version files 575.14 KB

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Abstract

Exposure to acute noise sources can lead to negative behavioural outcomes and fitness deficits in fishes, but it is unknown if fish can habituate to chronic exposures. As underwater noise increases globally, understanding how long-term exposures can affect behavioural, morphological and transcriptional measures of stress in fish is critical. We tested responses in captive brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) immediately after acute exposure to a noise and after two weeks of chronic exposure. Behavioural tests quantified fish movements before, during, and after sound presentation, with morphological and transcriptional changes assessed through ears and whole brains samples respectively.Pre-control and pre-experimental brook trout exhibited increased swimming distance and velocity, but after the two-week exposure, post-experimental fish showed no response to noise while the post-control group remained responsive. Post-experimental fish showed significant differences in transcription levels of genes involved in neuroplastic and stress responses relative to the other groups. Together these results suggest that while fish may appear unresponsive to anthropogenic noises after chronic exposure, they still show significant changes at the transcriptional level with possible long-term effects.