Oyster larval transport in coastal Alabama: Dominance of physical transport over biological behavior in a shallow estuary

Kim, Choong‐Ki; Park, Kyeong; Powers, Sean P.; Graham, William M.; Bayha, Keith M.

doi:10.1029/2010jc006115

Cited by 45 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Simple models show that this behavior can raise the probability of larval settlement in energetic nearshore habitats (Fuchs et al, 2007;Fuchs and Reidenbach, 2013). Depth-seeking behaviors generally tend to limit transport by fast-moving surface currents and to enhance local retention (North et al, 2008;Shanks, 2009;Kim et al, 2010). Turbulence-induced sinking also contributed to onshore larval migration within the surf zone in a recent model that accounted for non-linear transport by surface gravity waves, known as Stokes drift (Fujimura et al, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrodynamic sensing and behavior by oyster larvae in turbulence and waves

Fuchs

Gerbi

Hunter

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Hydrodynamic signals from turbulence and waves may provide marine invertebrate larvae with behavioral cues that affect the pathways and energetic costs of larval delivery to adult habitats. Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) live in sheltered estuaries with strong turbulence and small waves, but their larvae can be transported into coastal waters with large waves. These contrasting environments have different ranges of hydrodynamic signals, because turbulence generally produces higher spatial velocity gradients, whereas waves can produce higher temporal velocity gradients. To understand how physical processes affect oyster larval behavior, transport and energetics, we exposed larvae to different combinations of turbulence and waves in flow tanks with (1) wavy turbulence, (2) a seiche and (3) rectilinear accelerations. We quantified behavioral responses of individual larvae to local instantaneous flows using twophase, infrared particle-image velocimetry. Both high dissipation rates and high wave-generated accelerations induced most larvae to swim faster upward. High dissipation rates also induced some rapid, active dives, whereas high accelerations induced only weak active dives. In both turbulence and waves, faster swimming and active diving were achieved through an increase in propulsive force and power output that would carry a high energetic cost. Swimming costs could be offset if larvae reaching surface waters had a higher probability of being transported shoreward by Stokes drift, whereas diving costs could be offset by enhanced settlement or predator avoidance. These complex behaviors suggest that larvae integrate multiple hydrodynamic signals to manage dispersal tradeoffs, spending more energy to raise the probability of successful transport to suitable locations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrodynamic sensing and behavior by oyster larvae in turbulence and waves

Fuchs

Gerbi

Hunter

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Self-governed vertical position in the water column affects simulated largescale dispersal patterns (e.g. Dekshenieks et al 1996, North et al 2008) except when vertical mixing is strong (Kim et al 2010). Vertical position can be especially important for larvae accumulating in vertically sheared flows or fronts, as such flows may facilitate larval transport to nearshore settlement environments (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upward swimming of competent oyster larvae Crassostrea virginica persists in highly turbulent flow as detected by PIV flow subtraction

Wheeler¹,

Helfrich²,

Anderson³

et al. 2013

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Investigating settlement responses in the transitory period between planktonic and benthic stages of invertebrates helps shape our understanding of larval dispersal and supply, as well as early adult survival. Turbulence is a physical cue that has been shown to induce sinking and potentially settlement responses in mollusc larvae. In this study, we determined the effect of turbulence on vertical swimming velocity and diving responses in competent eastern oyster larvae Crassostrea virginica. We quantified the behavioural responses of larvae in a moving flow field by measuring and analyzing larval velocities in a relative framework (where local flow is subtracted away, isolating the behavioural component) in contrast to the more common absolute framework (in which behaviour and advection by the flow are conflated). We achieved this separation by simultaneously and separately tracking individuals and measuring the flow field around them using particle image velocimetry in a grid-stirred turbulence tank. Contrary to our expectations, larvae swam upward even in highly turbulent flow, and the dive response became less frequent. These observations suggest that oyster larvae are stronger swimmers than previously expected and provide evidence that turbulence alone may not always be a sufficient cue for settlement out of the water column. Furthermore, at a population level, absolute velocity distributions differed significantly from isolated larval swimming velocities, a result that held over increasing turbulence levels. The absolute velocity distributions indicated a strong downward swimming or sinking response at high turbulence levels, but this observation was in fact due to downwelling mean flows in the tank within the imaging area. Our results suggest that reliable characterization of larval behaviour in turbulent conditions requires the subtraction of local flow at an individual level, imposing the technical constraint of simultaneous flow and behavioural observations.

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“…A behavioral response of considerable importance is vertical swimming, which may allow larvae to regulate their water column position by overcoming vertical flow and/or their buoyancy differential from seawater. Self-governed vertical position in the water column affects large-scale dispersal patterns in simulations (e.g., [14, 15]) in coastal conditions where vertical flow velocities are not stronger than larval swimming capabilities [16]. During the planktonic phase, vertical position is relevant as its regulation can permit larvae to accumulate in, or escape from, vertically sheared flows or fronts.…”

Section: Contentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Self-governed vertical position in the water column affects simulated large-scale dispersal patterns (e.g. [14,15]) except when vertical mixing is strong [16]. Vertical position can be especially important for larvae accumulating in vertically sheared flows or fronts, as such flows may facilitate larval transport to nearshore settlement environments (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral responses of invertebrate larvae to water column cues

Wheeler¹

2016

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Many benthic marine invertebrates have two-phase life histories, relying on planktonic larval stages for dispersal and exchange of individuals between adult populations. Historically, larvae were considered passive drifters in prevailing ocean currents. More recently, however, the paradigm has shifted toward active larval behavior mediating transport in the water column. Larvae in the plankton encounter a variety of physical, chemical, and biological cues, and their behavioral responses to these cues may directly impact transport, survival, settlement, and successful recruitment.In this thesis, I investigated the effects of turbulence, light, and conspecific adult exudates on larval swimming behavior. I focused on two invertebrate species of distinct morphologies: the purple urchin Arbacia punctulata, which was studied in pre-settlement planktonic stages, and the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica, which was studied in the competent-to-settle larval stage. From this work, I developed a conceptual framework within which larval behavior is understood as being driven simultaneously by external environmental cues and by larval age.As no a priori theory for larval behavior is derivable from first principles, it is only through experimental work that we are able to access behaviors and tie them back to specific environmental triggers. In this work, I studied the behavioral responses of larvae at the individual level, but those dynamics are likely playing out at larger scales in the ocean, impacting population connectivity, community structure, and resilience. In this way, my work represents progress in understanding how the ocean environment and larval behavior couple to influence marine ecological processes.

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Oyster larval transport in coastal Alabama: Dominance of physical transport over biological behavior in a shallow estuary

Cited by 45 publications

References 33 publications

Hydrodynamic sensing and behavior by oyster larvae in turbulence and waves

Hydrodynamic sensing and behavior by oyster larvae in turbulence and waves

Upward swimming of competent oyster larvae Crassostrea virginica persists in highly turbulent flow as detected by PIV flow subtraction

Behavioral responses of invertebrate larvae to water column cues

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