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Self-recruitment in a coral reef fish population

Author

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  • G. P. Jones

    (School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University)

  • M. J. Milicich

    (School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University)

  • M. J. Emslie

    (School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University)

  • C. Lunow

    (School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University)

Abstract

The question of how far the larvae of marine organisms disperse is fundamental to an understanding of their population dynamics1,2,3, the management of exploited species4,5 and the conservation of marine biodiversity6,7. It is generally assumed that larvae disperse away from their natal population so that local populations operate as ‘open’ systems, driven by recruitment of larvae from other sub-populations8. However, this assumption has never been critically tested. Here we show for the first time that juveniles from a coral reef fish population can return to their natal reef. We marked otoliths (ear bones) of over 10 million developing embryos of the damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, at Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef). Subsequently, from an examination of 5,000 juveniles settling at the same location, we found 15 marked individuals. On the basis of an estimate of the proportion of embryos marked (0.5–2%), as many as 15–60% of juveniles may be returning to their natal population (self-recruitment). We challenge the assumption that long-distance dispersal is the norm for reef fish populations.

Suggested Citation

  • G. P. Jones & M. J. Milicich & M. J. Emslie & C. Lunow, 1999. "Self-recruitment in a coral reef fish population," Nature, Nature, vol. 402(6763), pages 802-804, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:402:y:1999:i:6763:d:10.1038_45538
    DOI: 10.1038/45538
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    Cited by:

    1. Little, L.R. & Punt, A.E. & Mapstone, B.D. & Pantus, F. & Smith, A.D.M. & Davies, C.R. & McDonald, A.D., 2007. "ELFSim—A model for evaluating management options for spatially structured reef fish populations: An illustration of the “larval subsidy” effect," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 205(3), pages 381-396.
    2. Kininmonth, Stuart & Beger, Maria & Bode, Michael & Peterson, Eric & Adams, Vanessa M. & Dorfman, Dan & Brumbaugh, Daniel R. & Possingham, Hugh P., 2011. "Dispersal connectivity and reserve selection for marine conservation," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(7), pages 1272-1282.
    3. Georgina M Cooke & Timothy E Schlub & William B Sherwin & Terry J Ord, 2016. "Understanding the Spatial Scale of Genetic Connectivity at Sea: Unique Insights from a Land Fish and a Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(5), pages 1-25, May.
    4. Figueira, Will F., 2009. "Connectivity or demography: Defining sources and sinks in coral reef fish metapopulations," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 220(8), pages 1126-1137.

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