Long-term aggregation of larval fish siblings during dispersal along an open coast
Abstract
Larval dispersal in the ocean is thought to be highly diffusive, but the pathways larvae follow during their pelagic stage are largely unknown, as direct tracking of larvae in the open ocean is not yet possible. We provide the first evidence of continuous aggregation of fish larvae over extensive periods in an oceanographically complex environment. This finding has far-reaching implications for our understanding of population genetics and dynamics, as it points to an underestimated layer of complexity in current models of dispersal and connectivity. Consideration of complex larval behavior during dispersal, including the aggregation of related individuals, can improve the accuracy of such models and lead to more effective management and conservation of marine organisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 21, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1613440113
Entities
People
- Brittany E. Huntington
- Daniel Ottmann
- Kirsten Grorud-colvert
- Michael A. Banks
- Nicholas M. Sard
- Su Sponaugle
Organizations
- National Science Foundation
- Oregon State University
- United States Army Corps of Engineers