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Ontogeny of behaviour relevant to dispersal and connectivity in the larvae of two non-reef demersal, tropical fish species
Citation
Leis, JM and Piola, RF and Hay, AC and Wen, C and Kan, K-P, Ontogeny of behaviour relevant to dispersal and connectivity in the larvae of two non-reef demersal, tropical fish species, Marine and Freshwater Research, 60, (3) pp. 211-223. ISSN 1323-1650 (2009) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2009 CSIRO
DOI: doi:10.1071/MF08186
Abstract
In demersal marine fishes, the dispersal of larvae determines the geographical scale of population connectivity, and larval behaviour may influence dispersal. Yet, little is known of the ontogeny of behaviours that can influence dispersal. The present study examined the development of these behaviours in pelagic larvae of tropical marine fishes (4–21 mm) that occupy non-reef habitats as adults: Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Polynemidae) and Leiognathus equulus (Leiognathidae). In the laboratory, critical speed (Ucrit) increased from 3 to 34 cm s–1 at 1.3–1.7 cm s–1 per mm of size, with the fastest larvae up to 50% faster. In situ speed increased from 4 to 25 cm s–1 at 0.7–2.2 cm s–1 per mm, and was 10–14 body length s–1 (60–90% of Ucrit). Endurance increased from 0 to >40 km at 2.4–4.7 km per mm. In the sea, orientation precision did not change ontogenetically, both species tended to swim in loops, and neither significant overall directionality nor ontogenetic change in orientation was present. Larval orientation of these non-reef species was less precise than that of reef fishes. The two species differed in depth distribution, and one ascended ontogenetically. These behaviours can potentially influence dispersal outcomes over the full size range of these larvae.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | Leiognathidae, orientation, Polynemidae, swimming speed, vertical distribution |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Marine biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Leis, JM (Dr Jeff Leis) |
ID Code: | 94212 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 25 |
Deposited By: | IMAS Research and Education Centre |
Deposited On: | 2014-09-03 |
Last Modified: | 2015-02-23 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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