Behavioural discrimination of conspecific call types and its potential use in control strategies of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

Vocalisations are integral to the workings of social communication in fish. Round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) males produce acoustic signals for mate attraction. This thesis investigates the functions of round goby acoustic signals and explores the use of acoustics in developing a trapping system that may help in controlling this invasive species. Round gobies were tested in three different experiments to measure behavioural responsiveness. For female playback experiments, goby attractiveness differed between call types. The differential responses suggest calls have different functions in goby courtship. Male playback experiments showed an effect of stimulus on calls emitted but no difference with male size. Finally, round gobies were significantly more attracted to traps coupled with a conspecific call, suggesting a useful avenue for goby control. Understanding communication tactics in gobies aids in understanding information processing in fish and may prove essential when assessing control strategies in this highly invasive species