High connectivity among habitats precludes the relationship between dispersal and range size in tropical reef fishes

Mora, Camilo; Treml, Eric A.; Roberts, Jason J.; Crosby, Kate; Roy, Denis; Tittensor, Derek P.

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2011.06874.x

Cited by 95 publications

(127 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…In contrast, gonochoristic species with slower development rates (and therefore, potentially longer pelagic larval durations), indicated by a large egg size, were less likely to cross faunal breaks. While this result is inconsistent with the conventional view that long pelagic larval durations should lead to more long-distance dispersal, it is consistent with more recent work suggesting that species with shorter pelagic durations are more successful at consolidating range expansions because the offspring of colonizers are more likely to recruit back to the new population [19,46], as well as recent work showing weak pelagic larval duration -dispersal links in fishes [62]. Hermaphroditic coral species within younger genera are also more likely to reach range limits at faunal breaks compared with hermaphroditic species within older genera, which may be explained by the increased time available for species of an older age to have colonized peripheral regions [10].…”

Section: (A) Historical Mechanismscontrasting

confidence: 64%

Faunal breaks and species composition of Indo-Pacific corals: the role of plate tectonics, environment and habitat distribution

et al. 2013

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Species richness gradients are ubiquitous in nature, but the mechanisms that generate and maintain these patterns at macroecological scales remain unresolved. We use a new approach that focuses on overlapping geographical ranges of species to reveal that Indo-Pacific corals are assembled within 11 distinct faunal provinces. Province limits are characterized by co-occurrence of multiple species range boundaries. Unexpectedly, these faunal breaks are poorly predicted by contemporary environmental conditions and the present-day distribution of habitat. Instead, faunal breaks show striking concordance with geological features (tectonic plates and mantle plume tracks). The depth range over which a species occurs, its larval development rate and genus age are important determinants of the likelihood that species will straddle faunal breaks. Our findings indicate that historical processes, habitat heterogeneity and species colonization ability account for more of the present-day biogeographical patterns of corals than explanations based on the contemporary distribution of reefs or environmental conditions.

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Section: (A) Historical Mechanismscontrasting

confidence: 64%

Faunal breaks and species composition of Indo-Pacific corals: the role of plate tectonics, environment and habitat distribution

et al. 2013

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“…Given that pelagic larval duration (PLD) also varies greatly among such fishes, from only a few days to many months, the effects of PLD on dispersal potential became an early focus of investigation on general determinants of range size among those fishes and other near-shore marine species (10)(11)(12). However, although it has become evident that PLD is unlikely to be a primary determinant of geographic range size (13)(14)(15)(16), alternative hypotheses have only recently begun to be considered (9).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies of dispersal-range-size relationships have controlled for effects of phylogeny, and limits on range-size imposed by ocean-basin size, by separately analyzing subsets of data (7,16). However, this approach reduces statistical power (23,24) and the ability to assess the generality of the effects of different factors.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Adult and larval traits as determinants of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes

Luiz

Allen

Robertson

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

161

234

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Most marine organisms disperse via ocean currents as larvae, so it is often assumed that larval-stage duration is the primary determinant of geographic range size. However, empirical tests of this relationship have yielded mixed results, and alternative hypotheses have rarely been considered. Here we assess the relative influence of adult and larval-traits on geographic range size using a global dataset encompassing 590 species of tropical reef fishes in 47 families, the largest compilation of such data to date for any marine group. We analyze this database using linear mixed-effect models to control for phylogeny and geographical limits on range size. Our analysis indicates that three adult traits likely to affect the capacity of new colonizers to survive and establish reproductive populations (body size, schooling behavior, and nocturnal activity) are equal or better predictors of geographic range size than pelagic larval duration. We conclude that adult life-history traits that affect the postdispersal persistence of new populations are primary determinants of successful range extension and, consequently, of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes.eographic range size is a fundamental biogeographic variable that, among other effects (1, 2), strongly influences a species susceptibility to extinction (3, 4). Because most marine organisms disperse as larval propagules transported by ocean currents, it is often assumed that the duration of the larval stage is the fundamental determinant of their dispersal ability, and hence their range size (5, 6). Tropical reef fishes have geographic ranges that vary greatly in size, from a few square kilometers around tiny isolated islands to entire ocean basins (7-9). Given that pelagic larval duration (PLD) also varies greatly among such fishes, from only a few days to many months, the effects of PLD on dispersal potential became an early focus of investigation on general determinants of range size among those fishes and other near-shore marine species (10-12). However, although it has become evident that PLD is unlikely to be a primary determinant of geographic range size (13-16), alternative hypotheses have only recently begun to be considered (9).To expand its geographic range, a species must successfully colonize new areas following the dispersal of its propagules (17). Consequently, attributes other than pelagic dispersal capacity may largely determine how widely reef fishes are distributed geographically (9). Here we assess the relative importance of seven adult and larval traits in influencing geographic range sizes of tropical reef fishes at the global scale. We do so using data from 590 species of tropical reef fishes in 47 families, the largest compilation of such data currently available for any marine group (Dataset S1). Traits directly linked to larval dispersal potential include PLD and spawning mode. Adult traits include maximum body size, schooling behavior, nocturnal activity, use of multiple habitat types, and adult depth range. The adultbiology tra...

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“…Common biophysical approaches include modeling the dynamics of an entire cohort of swimming virtual larvae as a cloud or plume within a complex ocean (Mora et al 2011, Treml et al 2008 and modeling larvae as individual particles swimming⁄floating in a dynamic ocean , Kool et al 2010, Mitarai et al 2009. Individual based models (Grimm and Railsback 2005) are becoming more popular and accessible where individual larvae can be assigned properties and behavior allowing them to interact within a simulation environment.…”

Section: Methods Of Biophysical Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unlike the previously discussed empirical methods that provide a snapshot of connectivity among sub--populations, simulations may be run over seasons and years within a spatially--explicit framework to describe: larval dispersal relevant to population demography and conservation management ; and average patterns, variability, and rare events that influence the colonization and evolutionary dynamics of populations (e.g. , Mora et al 2011. Moreover, biophysical model simulations (e.g.…”

Section: Studying Marine Population Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Seascape genetics of Indo-Pacific reef organisms: methodologies and case studies for an emerging discipline

Liggins¹

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Which factors shape population connectivity and the consistency of their influence across species and seascapes is largely unresolved. This thesis takes a comparative genetic approach to investigate the influences of seascape topology (past sea level changes, contemporary oceanography, and geography) and species biology on the genetic connectivity among coral reefs around Australia, the Indo-Australasian Archipelago (IAA), and the wider Indo-Pacific. I focus on a suite of common, codistributed coral reef fishes and invertebrates that differ in life history characteristics. In the introductory chapter of my thesis I discuss population connectivity in marine systems, the contribution of seascape genetics to marine population connectivity research, and the state of our knowledge in the Indian and Pacific Oceans (Chapter One). Chapters Two and Three review the field of seascape genetics and the methodologies used in seascape genetic studies, respectively. My empirical research (Chapters Four-Six) takes a broad, yet integrated approach to describe and understand the processes underlying seascape genetic patterns around Australia, the IAA, and the Indo-Pacific. First, I investigate historical spatial genetic (mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA) patterns and processes using a comparative, multi-species framework (Chapter Four). I extend typical methods of comparative phylogeography to include: a matrix comparison method that allows the quantitative characterization of spatial genetic patterns; and a multiple regression modeling approach to identify the processes underlying the spatial genetic patterns for each species. I find that despite being subjected to common geographic and seascape influences, spatial genetic patterns differ across four common coral reef fishes (Acanthurus triostegus, Dascyllus trimaculatus, Halichoeres hortulanus, Pomacentrus coelestis). Although species with similar dispersal potential (based on egg type and pelagic larval duration) have the most similar spatial genetic patterns, the seascape features and processes (e.g. previous landbridges and oceanographic distances) underlying the genetic patterns are not always shared among species. Second, I characterize the latitude-wide genetic patterns of one species (P. coelestis) and extend methods typically used in such investigations by borrowing concepts and measures more commonly used for analyses of community composition (Chapter Five). Genealogical analyses reveal that levels of population genetic diversity in the core of the species range are elevated by the co-occurrence of two cryptic clades. Furthermore, the application of partitioned -diversity measures and nestedness analyses reveal that differing demographic processes underlie the genetic patterns observed at the northern and southern latitudinal peripheries of the species range. Last, I focus on edge-of-range genetic patterns for two tropical echinoderm species (Acanthaster planci and Tripneustes gratilla) at a little-studied high latitude peripheral population, Kermadec Islands, New Zea...

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High connectivity among habitats precludes the relationship between dispersal and range size in tropical reef fishes

Cited by 95 publications

References 56 publications

Faunal breaks and species composition of Indo-Pacific corals: the role of plate tectonics, environment and habitat distribution

Faunal breaks and species composition of Indo-Pacific corals: the role of plate tectonics, environment and habitat distribution

Adult and larval traits as determinants of geographic range size among tropical reef fishes

Seascape genetics of Indo-Pacific reef organisms: methodologies and case studies for an emerging discipline

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