A magnetic compass that might help coral reef fish larvae return to their natal reef

Bottesch, Michael; Gerlach, Gabriele; Halbach, Maurits; Bally, Andreas; Kingsford, Michael J.; Mouritsen, Henrik

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.10.051

Cited by 56 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…It was demonstrated that the O. doederleini larvae were navigating using a sun compass mechanism (Mouritsen et al, 2013) and sun compass orientation has also been documented in other coral reef fish species (e.g., Leis and Carson-Ewart, 2003;Berenshtein et al, 2014). Bottesch et al (2016) demonstrated that newly settled O. doederleini at OTI can also orient their swimming to the SE at night via a magnetic compass mechanism. In this study, it was assumed that L. carponotatus spawned from reefs in the CBG (which are affected by the same prevailing NNW current as OTI) would have a strong SSE directional swimming response like O. doederleini.…”

Section: Biophysical Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to physical oceanographic features, the biological characteristics of fish larvae can greatly affect their dispersion (Kingsford et al, 2002;Paris et al, 2013;Wolanski and Kingsford, 2014;Bottesch et al, 2016). The larvae of many fish species can maintain swim speeds that exceed local mean current speeds for extended periods of time, they can, therefore, influence their dispersal trajectories (Fisher, 2005;Leis, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The larvae of many fish species can maintain swim speeds that exceed local mean current speeds for extended periods of time, they can, therefore, influence their dispersal trajectories (Fisher, 2005;Leis, 2006). They can also orient to reefs using a variety of senses including a sun compass (e.g., Leis and Carson-Ewart, 2003;Mouritsen et al, 2013) and a magnetic compass (e.g., Bottesch et al, 2016) for long distance orientation, and hearing (e.g., Mann et al, 2007;Wright et al, 2010) and chemotaxis (e.g., Gerlach et al, 2007;Dixson et al, 2008;Paris et al, 2013) when they are closer to reefs. The exceptional swimming and orientation abilities of reef fish larvae, in combination with hydrodynamic retention mechanisms near reefs, may prevent the expatriation of some larvae away from natal reefs (Almany et al, 2007;Andutta et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wind Conditions on the Great Barrier Reef Influenced the Recruitment of Snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus)

et al. 2018

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Most coral reef fishes have a pelagic larval stage before recruiting to reefs. The survival of larvae and their subsequent recruitment can drive the dynamics of reef populations. Here we show that the recruitment of the snapper Lutjanus carponotatus to One Tree Island in the Capricorn Bunker Group, in the southern Great Barrier Reef, was highly variable over 23 years. We predicted that the currents in the Capricorn Bunker Group, including their wind driven components and the Capricorn Eddy (a nearby transient oceanic eddy), would affect patterns of recruitment. A biophysical model was used to investigate this prediction. L. carponotatus were collected from One Tree Island and the dates when they were in the plankton as larvae were determined from their otoliths. The winds present during the pelagic phases of the fish were examined; they were found to have survived either longshore (SSE) winds that induced little cross shelf movement in the larval plume or cross shelf (ENE) winds that induced little longshore movement. The unidirectional transportation of the larval plume in these conditions was favorable for recruitment as it kept the plume concentrated in the Capricorn Bunker Group. These winds were more prevalent in the periods of peak L. carponotatus production that preceded high recruitment. Dispersal under average winds (6.2 m s −1 from the prevailing ESE) and strong winds (velocity 1.5 times average), with and without the Capricorn Eddy, was also modeled. Each of these combinations were less favorable for recruitment than the longshore and cross shelf winds larval L. carponotatus survived before reaching OTI. The larval plume was comparatively less concentrated in the Capricorn Bunker Group under average winds. Strong winds transported the larval plume far longshore, to the NW, away from the Capricorn Bunker Group, while the Capricorn Eddy transported larvae seaward into oceanic waters. Larval swimming could counteract these dispersive forces; however, significant dispersion had occurred before larvae developed strong swimming and orientation abilities. This study provides a physical proxy for the recruitment of snapper. Further, we have demonstrated that great insights into recruitment variability can be gained through determining the specific conditions experienced by survivors.

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Section: Biophysical Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wind Conditions on the Great Barrier Reef Influenced the Recruitment of Snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus)

et al. 2018

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“…To date, there is no empirical information about a common swimming directions of larvae in the GoA (in contrast to other locations, e.g., Bottesch et al, 2016), but using the axial direction of the GoA makes biological sense since it minimizes the coastal encounters of the larvae, and therefore minimizes their risk of predation. Kappa values for BCRW individual larvae were estimated from the experimental data of Irisson et al (2015) (see explanation in CRW section above) resulting in kappa = 1.…”

Section: Biased-correlated Directional Swimming (Bcrw)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biophysical Simulations Support Schooling Behavior of Fish Larvae Throughout Ontogeny

et al. 2018

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Schooling is very common in adult and juvenile fish, but has been rarely studied during the larval stage. Recent otolith micro-chemistry studies of coral reef fish have demonstrated that cohorts of larvae can move through similar paths and settle within a few meters one from another. However, little is known about the processes involved in the formation and maintenance of these cohorts. Here we use a biophysical modeling approach to examine whether local hydrodynamics, various individual behaviors, or larval schooling can explain cohesive patterns observed for Neopomacentrus miryae in the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat (Red Sea), and whether schooling is feasible in terms of initial encounter probability and cohesiveness maintenance. We then examine the consequences of schooling behavior on larval settlement success and connectivity. Our results indicate that: (1) Schooling behavior is necessary for generating cohesive dispersal patterns, (2) Initial larval encounter of newly-hatched larvae is plausible, depending mainly on initial larval densities and patchiness, and (3) schooling behavior increases the rate of larval settlement while decreasing the percentage of realized connections. Together with mounting evidence of cohesive dispersal, this numerical study demonstrates that larval schooling throughout the pelagic phase is realistic, and has a significant effect on settlement success and connectivity patterns. Future research is needed to understand the mechanisms of fission-fusion dynamics of larval cohorts and their effect on dispersal. Our findings should be considered in future efforts of larval dispersal models, specifically in the context of marine connectivity and the planning of marine protected area networks.

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“…Larvae can swim in an orientated way at speeds that are often comparable to the currents of the waters in which they live, thus directly influencing their dispersal. Larvae can detect and respond to a range of olfactory, auditory, and visual cues from settlement habitat, from within the pelagic environment (Leis et al, 2011b) and even to celestial (Mouritsen et al, 2013;Leis et al, 2014) and magnetic (Bottesch et al, 2016;O'Connor and Muheim, 2017) cues. By controlling their vertical distribution, larvae may indirectly influence their dispersal because current velocities often vary with depth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paradigm Lost: Ocean Acidification Will Overturn the Concept of Larval-Fish Biophysical Dispersal

J.M

2018

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Most marine ecologists have in the past 25 years changed from supporting a passive-dispersal paradigm for larval marine fishes to supporting a biophysical-dispersal paradigm wherein the behaviour of larvae plays a central role. Research shows larvae of demersal perciform fishes have considerable swimming and orientation abilities over a major portion of their pelagic larval duration. These abilities depend on sensory function, and some recent research has indicated anthropogenic acidification of the oceans will by the end of the century result in sensory dysfunction. This could strongly alter the ability of fish larvae to orientate in the pelagic environment, to locate suitable settlement habitat, to bet-hedge, and to colonize new locations. This paper evaluates the available publications on the effects of acidification on senses and behaviours relevant to dispersal of fish early life-history stages. A large majority of studies tested CO 2 values predicted for the middle to end of the century. Larvae of fourteen families-all but two perciform-were studied. However, half of studies used Damselfishes (Pomacentridae), and except for swimming, most studies used settlement-stage larvae or later stages. In spite of these taxonomic and ontogenetic restrictions, all but two studies on sensory function (chemosensation, hearing, vision, detection of estuarine cues) found deleterious effects from acidification. The four studies on lateralization and settlement timing all found deleterious effects from acidification. No clear effect of acidification on swimming ability was found. If fish larvae cannot orientate due to sensory dysfunction, their dispersal will, in effect, conform to the passive dispersal paradigm. Modelling incorporating larval behaviour derived from empirical studies indicates that relative to active larvae, passive larvae will have less self-recruitment, higher median and mean dispersal distances, and lower settlement rates: further, bet hedging and colonization of new locations will decrease. The biophysical dispersal paradigm will be lost in theory and in fact, which is predicted to result in lower recruitment and less bet hedging for demersal, perciform fishes. More research is required to determine if the larvae of other Orders will be effected in the same way, or if warm-and cold-water fish faunas will be similarly effected.

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A magnetic compass that might help coral reef fish larvae return to their natal reef

Cited by 56 publications

References 9 publications

Wind Conditions on the Great Barrier Reef Influenced the Recruitment of Snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus)

Wind Conditions on the Great Barrier Reef Influenced the Recruitment of Snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus)

Biophysical Simulations Support Schooling Behavior of Fish Larvae Throughout Ontogeny

Paradigm Lost: Ocean Acidification Will Overturn the Concept of Larval-Fish Biophysical Dispersal

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