Deciphering complex coral reef soundscapes with spatial audio and 360° video

Coral reef soundscapes hold a wealth of biodiversity information. While they are easy to record, they are difficult to decipher because we know little about which sounds are made by which species. With identified fish sounds, acoustic monitoring can directly inform biodiversity metrics, detect indicator or invasive species, identify behavioral events, and estimate abundance at temporal and spatial scales that are impossible with methods like eDNA or visual surveys. The missing link, knowing which sounds come from which species, is exceedingly difficult to establish with fish, especially on a species-rich coral reef. Using a novel method to visualize in situ underwater sound, we have developed a technique that combines visualizations of spatial audio with concentric 360° video recordings, a combination not previously accomplished underwater. Using this technique, we have identified and assigned sounds to 46 species. This is the most extensive collection of natural sounds of fis..., , # Data from: Deciphering complex coral reef soundscapes with spatial audio and 360° video Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.mcvdnckcp](10.5061/dryad.mcvdnckcp) ## Description of the data and file structure Using a novel method to visualize *in situ* underwater sound, we have developed a technique that combines visualizations of spatial audio with concentric 360° video recordings, a combination not previously accomplished underwater. With this system, we have identified and assigned the most extensive collection of natural sounds of fishes. ### Regarding the video files The videos include FishEye Collaborative's logo as a watermark. FishEye Collaborative approves using these videos, including this watermark, under the CC0 license waiver. ### Files and variables #### File: Abudefduf_saxatilis.zip **Description:** Video and visualizations of sounds produced by Abuduefduf_saxatilis. #### File: Acanthurus_coeruleus.zip **Description:** Video and visualizations of sounds produced by Acan...,