Welcome to Dr. Arthur N. Popper's Laboratory of Aquatic Bioacoustics

The Aquatic Bioacoustics Laboratory (ABL) is primarily involved in the study of hearing by aquatic organisms. Most work in the laboratory focuses on fishes, although studies have been done with other non-mammalian vertebrates. Our fish studies have focused on various aspects of hearing that range from behavioral investigations to determine what an animal can hear to physiological investigations of the responses of the ear and brain.

The majority of work in the lab is now involved with studies on the effects of human-generated (anthropogenic) sound on aquatic organisms. This has resulted in a series of studies that explore behavioral and physiological effects of increased ambient sounds on fish. These studies have asked about effects of seismic air-guns, pile driving, and general increases in background sound levels on fish hearing and physiology.

Investigations in the past have ranged from basic questions concerning evolution and mechanisms of sound detection, investigations of hearing sensitivity, studies on the anatomy and ultrastructure of the ear, and many other topics (see publications link at left). We work with a range of species since we are interested in the diversity of auditory mechanisms found among fishes.

Over the past several years, Dr. Poppper has been involved in the organization of several international meetings on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life.  Another meeting will take place in 2013 in Europe, while a recent book edited by Dr. Popper and Dr. Anthony Hawkins on the presentations at the 2010 meeting in Cork, Ireland, has been recently published.

In addition, Dr. Popper and colleauges at the University of Maryland are hosting the 2012 meeting of the International Society for Neuroethology at College Park.  Please look at our web site and consider attending the meeting.

Lab Facilities

• Light microscopy for fluorescence, and Nomarski optics
• Scanning and transmission electron microscopy
• Confocal microscopy
• Histology and immunocytochemistry
• Behavioral analysis and psychophysics
• Electrophysiology (extracellular, intracellular, ABR)
• Anechoic and sound proof rooms

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