Changes of movement behavior and HSP70 gene expression in the hemocytes of the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) in response to acoustic stimulation

Abstract Offshore anthropogenic activities often produce high levels of noise below 1000 Hz, which can be serious threats to aquatic crustaceans based on the knowledge about their acoustic sensitive bandwidth. This study simulated noise with main frequency band similar to common underwater engineering noises, and examined its effects on movement behavior and physiological response, indicated by heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene expression, of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. Experiments were conducted in the tanks, equipped with hydrophone, transducer, and video recording system, using juvenile S. paramamosain. Three acoustic stimulations with ascending levels were separately imposed on the animals. Results showed that the linear sweep with the sound power spectral density greater than 110 dB re 1μPa2/Hz in total bandwidth (100–1000 Hz), and 155 dB re 1μPa2/Hz within 600–800 Hz, could increase locomotor activities and HSP70 gene expression significantly.