Diel, temporal, and spatial patterns of biotic soundscapes among Alabama artificial reefs in late spring and summer

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) in a variety of marine habitats has revealed distinct spatial and temporal variation fish sounds that are predicted to vary association with species composition abundance, as well diel seasonal influences. Reefs the Alabama Artificial Reef Zone (AARZ) northern Gulf Mexico (nGOM) have an associated fauna composed warm-temperate tropical reef species. AARZ reefs made different structures (e.g. bridge rubble, concrete pyramids, etc.) result, their is vary. We used PAM describe on 18 shallow slope (20-33 m) 2017 2018. detected calls from unknown sources, leopard toadfish Opsanus pardus , cocoa damselfish Stegastes variabilis cusk-eels (Ophidiidae). developed semi-automated screening methods detect specific sound types described patterns. Sound detection rates varied widely among reefs, but not by type. Number increased richness, differed similar composition. Our results indicate many frequently occurring may be visually conspicuous fishes. Further research needed determine source behavior for common these habitats. Soundscape variability nGOM artificial consideration management, biological can provide cue location some larval adult