READ ME File For 'Masking noise reduces the anti-predator-like response to an acoustic stimulus: application of Signal Detection Theory to fish behaviour.' Dataset DOI: https://doi.org/10.5258/SOTON/D3517 Date that the file was created: May 2025 ------------------- GENERAL INFORMATION ------------------- ReadMe Author: Paul R. White, University of Southampton, ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4787-8713 Date of data collection: March 2018 Information about geographic location of data collection: International Centre for Ecohydraulics Research (ICER), Chilworth Laboratories (Building 89), University of Southampton Science Park, Venture Road, Chilworth, Southampton, SO16 7NP Related projects/Funders: Natural Environment Research Council Award No. NE/K007769/1 and industrial sponsors Fishtek Consulting Ltd. -------------------------- SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION -------------------------- Licenses/restrictions placed on the data, or limitations of reuse: n.a. Recommended citation for the data: Currie, H.A.L., White, P.R., Leighton, T.G., and Kemp, P.S. (2025). Dataset to support: Masking noise reduces the anti-predator-like response to an acoustic stimulus: application of Signal Detection Theory to fish behaviour. This dataset supports the publication: AUTHORS: Currie, H.A.L., White, P.R., Leighton, T.G., and Kemp, P.S. TITLE: Masking noise reduces the anti-predator-like response to an acoustic stimulus: application of Signal Detection Theory to fish behaviour. JOURNAL: PLOS ONE PAPER DOI IF KNOWN: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0327092 Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data: n.a. Links/relationships to ancillary or related data sets: n.a. -------------------- DATA & FILE OVERVIEW -------------------- This dataset contains: Two datasheets. 1) Currie_Masking_Dataset.xlxs 2) Currie_Masking_Dataset 2.xlxs ---------------------------------------- METHODOLOGICAL/DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION ---------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF THE DATA [This should include a detailed description of the data, how it was collected/created, any specialist software needed to view the data] This dataset contains: Anthropogenic noise is a globally prevalent pollutant of international concern, and may reduce the ability of fishes to detect, discriminate and respond to relevant acoustic cues. However, little information exists on the group behavioural responses of fish to targeted acoustic stimuli in the presence of high intensity environmental noise commonly experienced by fish in the wild, and with the potential to mask a signal of interest. We used signal detection theory to investigate the coarse (startle response) and fine-scale (swimming speed, group cohesion and alignment) responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) shoals to pulsed tonal signals (170 Hz) differing only in their signal-to-noise ratio (low [LOW], intermediate [INT], or high [HIGH]) above either an ambient, or masking noise floor (fixed intensity Gaussian white noise: 120 – 3000 Hz). Data concerning behavioural responses were collected through high resolution video tracking using Matlab script and can be viewed within two excel files. Code for generalised least squared regression models and CI outputs is also provided within datasheet 2 of 2.