Cornish cod may need to learn Scouse to attract a mate, scientists fear

Cornish cod may need to learn Scouse to attract a mate, scientists fear


The fish make sounds with their swim bladders to attract mates - and climate change forcing them to migrate to new areas could mean they struggle to make themselves understood

EMILY BEAMENT |
30 minutes ago|


Scientists are attempting to discover if Cornish cod moving north with climate change will be able to understand the accents of their Scouse counterparts.

Experts believe the fish, which make sounds with their swim bladders to attract mates, may have regional accents - and if males cannot “chat up” females who speak a different dialect it could threaten their ability to breed.

There are also concerns that noise pollution from boats and other marine activities could be drowning out the "gossip" cod need to establish territories, raise the alarm and for mating.


Professor Steve Simpson, from the University of Exeter, who is leading the research, said cod had a series of vocalisations, with the ability to change the patterns of their sounds, producing thumps, growls and different frequencies.

More:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/cod-speak-regional-accents-a7345511.html