Larval reef fish could use odour for detection, retention and orientation to reefs

Abstract

While evidence is mounting that larval reef fish are active participants in the process of dispersal and settlement, the sensory and behavioural mechanisms by which these fishes disperse and return from their oceanic phase to the reefs remain unknown. On One Tree Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia), we tested freshly collected animals in a large choice-flume on the shore. Here, we present the first evidence that larval reef fish (primarily apogonids) approaching the time of settlement are capable of detecting differences between ocean and lagoon water and prefer lagoon water. We also demonstrate that they sniff actively with well-innervated noses and that attraction to lagoon water was not affected by warmer or colder temperatures. We conclude that they used chemical signals to orient toward lagoon water. Finally, we describe ebb tide plumes of lagoon water that extend many kilometers from reefs. Such plumes could provide chemosensory cues for dispersal and settlement stages of reef fish as they develop swimming efficiency. We argue that fishes may imprint to reef odour as embryos and/or early larvae and that this could facilitate both retention near the natal reef and navigation toward reefs from greater distances.

Modelling the dispersal of riverine fish larvae: from a raster-based analysis of movement patterns within a racetrack flume to a rheoreaction-based correlated random walk (RCRW) model approach

“…In this regard, there are field studies that have included continuously tracked fish larvae (Leis et al 2014;Irisson et al 2009;Leis 2006). There are also flume experiments on larval fish behaviour using manipulated hydraulic conditions (e.g., Atema et al 2002;Stobutzki and Bellwood 1994;Arnold 1968). Flore et al (2001) studied swimming speed for nase carp larvae (Chondrostoma nasus) and found a positive linear relationship between larval size (total length) and larval maximum sustainable water velocity (MSWV; Kaufmann (1990)).…”

Humic Acid Interferes with Species Recognition in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…1) powered by a peristaltic pump. The flume allows a laminar flow separation of two water stimuli (Atema et al 2002;Mann et al 2003;Gerlach and Lysiak 2006). The water height was maintained at approximately 1.5 cm, and uniform unidirectional flow was maintained at a constant rate of 106 ml/min or 6.2 cm/s).…”

“…Many aquatic animals have evolved mechanisms to send and receive information via chemical cues, and chemosensation plays a critical role in their behavior (Moore and Grills 1999;Atema et al 2002;Russell et al 2004;Rosenthal and Lobel 2006). Disruption of the sensory environment can impair communication, resulting in biological effects for many species (e.g., Seehhausen et al 1997;Slabbekoorn and Peet 2003).…”

Orientation from open water to settlement habitats by coral reef fish: behavioral flexibility in the use of multiple reliable cues

“…Water plumes containing chemical cues from lagoon habitats can be transported over long distances offshore by wind and ocean currents (Booth et al 2000, Atema et al 2002. In the absence of visual habitat cues at larger distances offshore, a preference for seagrass habitat water over coral reef or mangrove habitat water can act as a coarse, but reliable cue for offshore pelagic larvae to navigate towards coastal habitats from the open ocean.…”

“…For settlement-stage larvae of marine organisms that are completing their oceanic life stage, the foremost important activity is to orientate to and locate an optimal benthic habitat. Chemical and auditory cues may play an important role for orientation during this process (Atema et al 2002, Huijbers et al 2012.…”