bioacousticians

Definition

Scientists who study the sounds produced by, or perceived by, living organisms and how these sounds interact with their environments.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'bios' (life) and 'akoustikos' (of or for hearing), combined with the suffix '-ician' denoting a person who specializes in a field. The term emerged as a specialized branch of acoustics focusing on biological sound.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the scientists who investigated mysterious oceanic sounds, eventually identifying them as calls from fin and minke whales. This highlights how such experts interpret acoustic data to reveal hidden biological activity.

Worm munch matters: the new acoustic ecology of the soil

Aeon

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