An oyster for an amplifier
Oyster shells acting as amplifiersThe most plausible hypothesis to explain this power of diffusion is also the most amusing. The oysters may not only be a source of shelter; they may also serve as an amplifier, thus amplifying the sounds emitted by Onuxodon, and therefore increasing their chances of being heard by their fellow pearlfish. "It’s a tentative idea", Loïc Kéver adds carefully. "Because, once again, we don’t know if they only emit sound from inside the oyster or also outside their host. We also don’t know if they use the bivalves as amplifiers, and if this behaviour has a decisive role in terms of calling or reproducing. In any case, we sent shells to Marco Lugli, an Italian researcher and co-author of the publication. He kept the shells in a half-open position which is close to the natural position. He placed a diffuser in them that emitted a white noise, whereby all the frequencies are at the same intensity, and a microphone. He noticed that the sound emitted was amplified by the oysters, particularly regarding the frequencies close to those that we found mainly in the sounds collected in Onuxudon." |
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© 2007 ULi�ge
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