Project

There is growing concern about the impact that noise from human activities is having on marine fauna, as proved by dedicated
actions promoted by international funding agencies (i.e., JPI Oceans). However, we are still far from understanding how
anthropogenic noise affects animal life. To date, there has been an almost exclusive focus on vertebrates whereas all aquatic
species, both vertebrates and invertebrates, are able to perceive mechanical stimuli, such as sounds (or vibrations caused by their
propagation). Animals use this ability to carry out vital biological activities, such as foraging, predation, mating and habitat selection. Anthropogenic noise can interfere with them with consequences at population and ecosystem levels. This project aims to test the noise effects on development, behavior and resilience of marine invertebrates closely related to vertebrates (deuterostomes) i.e., hemichordates, echinoderms, cephalochordates, and tunicates.