Larval Dispersal and Marine Population Connectivity

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 443-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Cowen ◽  
Su Sponaugle
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Marine Population

scholarly journals Probability of successful larval dispersal declines fivefold over 1 km in a coral reef fish

2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1735) ◽  
pp. 1883-1888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Buston ◽  
Geoffrey P. Jones ◽  
Serge Planes ◽  
Simon R. Thorrold
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Dispersal Distance ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Marine Ecology ◽  
Sea Anemones ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Amphiprion Percula ◽  
Distance Distributions ◽  
Dispersal Distances

A central question of marine ecology is, how far do larvae disperse? Coupled biophysical models predict that the probability of successful dispersal declines as a function of distance between populations. Estimates of genetic isolation-by-distance and self-recruitment provide indirect support for this prediction. Here, we conduct the first direct test of this prediction, using data from the well-studied system of clown anemonefish ( Amphiprion percula ) at Kimbe Island, in Papua New Guinea. Amphiprion percula live in small breeding groups that inhabit sea anemones. These groups can be thought of as populations within a metapopulation. We use the x- and y -coordinates of each anemone to determine the expected distribution of dispersal distances (the distribution of distances between each and every population in the metapopulation). We use parentage analyses to trace recruits back to parents and determine the observed distribution of dispersal distances. Then, we employ a logistic model to (i) compare the observed and expected dispersal distance distributions and (ii) determine the relationship between the probability of successful dispersal and the distance between populations. The observed and expected dispersal distance distributions are significantly different ( p < 0.0001). Remarkably, the probability of successful dispersal between populations decreases fivefold over 1 km. This study provides a framework for quantitative investigations of larval dispersal that can be applied to other species. Further, the approach facilitates testing biological and physical hypotheses for the factors influencing larval dispersal in unison, which will advance our understanding of marine population connectivity.

scholarly journals Dispersal and population connectivity are phenotype dependent in a marine metapopulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1909) ◽  
pp. 20191104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K. Fobert ◽  
Eric A. Treml ◽  
Stephen E. Swearer
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Empirical Distribution ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Temperate Reef Fish ◽  
Marine Metapopulation

Larval dispersal is a key process determining population connectivity, metapopulation dynamics, and community structure in benthic marine ecosystems, yet the biophysical complexity of dispersal is not well understood. In this study, we investigate the interaction between disperser phenotype and hydrodynamics on larval dispersal pathways, using a temperate reef fish species, Trachinops caudimaculatus . We assessed the influence of larval traits on depth distribution and dispersal outcomes by: (i) using 24-h depth-stratified ichthyoplankton sampling, (ii) quantifying individual phenotypes using larval growth histories extracted from the sagittal otoliths of individual larvae, and (iii) simulating potential dispersal outcomes based on the empirical distribution of larval phenotypes and an advanced biological-physical ocean model. We found T. caudimaculatus larvae were vertically stratified with respect to phenotype, with high-quality phenotypes found in the bottom two depth strata, and poor-quality phenotypes found primarily at the surface. Our model showed high- and average-quality larvae experienced significantly higher local retention (more than double) and self-recruitment, and travelled shorter distances relative to poor-quality larvae. As populations are only connected when dispersers survive long enough to reproduce, determining how larval phenotype influences dispersal outcomes will be important for improving our understanding of marine population connectivity and persistence.

Moving beyond the current paradigm in marine population connectivity: are adults the missing link?

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G Frisk ◽  
Adrian Jordaan ◽  
Thomas J Miller
Keyword(s):  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Missing Link ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Current Paradigm

scholarly journals Not All Larvae Stay Close to Home: Insights into Marine Population Connectivity with a Focus on the Brown Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff A. Eble ◽  
Luiz A. Rocha ◽  
Matthew T. Craig ◽  
Brian W. Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Resource Planning ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Larval Recruitment ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Acanthurus Nigrofuscus

Recent reports of localized larval recruitment in predominately small-range fishes are countered by studies that show high genetic connectivity across large oceanic distances. This discrepancy may result from the different timescales over which genetic and demographic processes operate or rather may indicate regular long-distance dispersal in some species. Here, we contribute an analysis of mtDNA cytochromebdiversity in the widely distributed Brown Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus;N=560), which revealed significant genetic structure only at the extremes of the range (ΦCT=0.452;P<.001). Collections from Hawaii to the Eastern Indian Ocean comprise one large, undifferentiated population. This pattern of limited genetic subdivision across reefs of the central Indo-Pacific has been observed in a number of large-range reef fishes. Conversely, small-range fishes are often deeply structured over the same area. These findings demonstrate population connectivity differences among species at biogeographic and evolutionary timescales, which likely translates into differences in dispersal ability at ecological and demographic timescales. While interspecific differences in population connectivity complicate the design of management strategies, the integration of multiscale connectivity patterns into marine resource planning will help ensure long-term ecosystem stability by preserving functionally diverse communities.

scholarly journals Observations of Migrant Exchange and Mixing in a Coral Reef Fish Metapopulation Link Scales of Marine Population Connectivity

2013 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Horne ◽  
Lynne van Herwerden ◽  
Sheena Abellana ◽  
Jennifer L. McIlwain
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Marine Population

scholarly journals Patterns, causes, and consequences of marine larval dispersal

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (45) ◽  
pp. 13940-13945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassidy C. D’Aloia ◽  
Steven M. Bogdanowicz ◽  
Robin K. Francis ◽  
John E. Majoris ◽  
Richard G. Harrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Spatial Genetic Structure ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Logistic Models ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Parentage Analysis ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Dispersal Kernel ◽  
Marine Population

Quantifying the probability of larval exchange among marine populations is key to predicting local population dynamics and optimizing networks of marine protected areas. The pattern of connectivity among populations can be described by the measurement of a dispersal kernel. However, a statistically robust, empirical dispersal kernel has been lacking for any marine species. Here, we use genetic parentage analysis to quantify a dispersal kernel for the reef fish Elacatinus lori, demonstrating that dispersal declines exponentially with distance. The spatial scale of dispersal is an order of magnitude less than previous estimates—the median dispersal distance is just 1.7 km and no dispersal events exceed 16.4 km despite intensive sampling out to 30 km from source. Overlaid on this strong pattern is subtle spatial variation, but neither pelagic larval duration nor direction is associated with the probability of successful dispersal. Given the strong relationship between distance and dispersal, we show that distance-driven logistic models have strong power to predict dispersal probabilities. Moreover, connectivity matrices generated from these models are congruent with empirical estimates of spatial genetic structure, suggesting that the pattern of dispersal we uncovered reflects long-term patterns of gene flow. These results challenge assumptions regarding the spatial scale and presumed predictors of marine population connectivity. We conclude that if marine reserve networks aim to connect whole communities of fishes and conserve biodiversity broadly, then reserves that are close in space (<10 km) will accommodate those members of the community that are short-distance dispersers.

scholarly journals Consequences of variable larval dispersal pathways and resulting phenotypic mixtures to the dynamics of marine metapopulations

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 20140778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S. Shima ◽  
Erik G. Noonburg ◽  
Stephen E. Swearer
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Lipid Concentration ◽  
Metapopulation Model ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Demographic Heterogeneity ◽  
The Common ◽  
Metapopulation Persistence ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Settlement Growth

Larval dispersal can connect distant subpopulations, with important implications for marine population dynamics and persistence, biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. However, different dispersal pathways may affect the final phenotypes, and thus the performance and fitness of individuals that settle into subpopulations. Using otolith microchemical signatures that are indicative of ‘dispersive’ larvae (oceanic signatures) and ‘non-dispersive’ larvae (coastal signatures), we explore the population-level consequences of dispersal-induced variability in phenotypic mixtures for the common triplefin (a small reef fish). We evaluate lipid concentration and otolith microstructure and find that ‘non-dispersive’ larvae (i) have greater and less variable lipid reserves at settlement (and this variability attenuates at a slower rate), (ii) grow faster after settlement, and (iii) experience similar carry-over benefits of lipid reserves on post-settlement growth relative to ‘dispersive’ larvae. We then explore the consequences of phenotypic mixtures in a metapopulation model with two identical subpopulations replenished by variable contributions of ‘dispersive’ and ‘non-dispersive’ larvae and find that the resulting phenotypic mixtures can have profound effects on the size of the metapopulation. We show that, depending upon the patterns of connectivity, phenotypic mixtures can lead to larger metapopulations, suggesting dispersal-induced demographic heterogeneity may facilitate metapopulation persistence.

scholarly journals Population Connectivity and Larval Dispersal Using Geochemical Signatures in Calcified Structures

Oceanography ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Thorrold ◽  
Danielle Zacherl ◽  
Lisa Levin
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Population Connectivity

scholarly journals Evidence and population consequences of shared larval dispersal histories in a marine fish

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Shima ◽  
SE Swearer
Keyword(s):  
Larval Dispersal ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Larval Supply ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Ecological Society ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry

© 2016 by the Ecological Society of America. Larval dispersal is disproportionately important for marine population ecolgy and evolution, yet our inability to track individuals severely constrains our understanding of this key process. We analyze otoliths of a small reef fish, the common triplefin ( Forsterygion lapillum ), to reconstruct individual dispersal histories and address the following questions: (1) How many discrete sets of dispersal histories (dispersal cohorts) contribute to replenishment of focal populations; (2) When do dispersal cohorts converge (a metric of shared dispersal histories among cohorts); and (3) Do these patterns predict spatiotemporal variation in larval supply? We used light traps to quantify larval supply, and otolith microstructure and microchemistry (using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; LA - ICP - MS ) to reconstruct daily environmental histories of individuals in their 30- d lead- up to settlement. Our results indicate that a variable number of dispersal cohorts replenish focal populations (range of 2-8, mean of 4.3, standard deviation of 2.8). Convergence times varied (from 0 to >30 d prior to settlement), and larval supply was negatively correlated with cohort evenness but not with the number of cohorts, or when they converged, indicating disproportionately large contributions from some cohorts (i.e., sweepstakes events). Collectively, our results suggest that larval reef fishes may variably disperse in shoals, to drive local replenishment and connectivity within a metapopulation.

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