SEMINAR: MBF 602 seminar- Martha Hauff Friday, May 7th, 2010 3:30pm S/A seminar room LAST student seminar of the semester!

[Cary Rios <crios@rsmas.miami.edu>]

Condition of coral reef fish larvae along the Florida Keys shelf: implications for connectivity

 

In coastal marine organisms with protracted pelagic larval durations, there is potential for long distance dispersal and extensive population connectivity.  Yet, recent research indicates that local retention of larval coral reef fish may be more important in replenishing populations than influx of larvae from distant sources. The degree of connectivity among populations is governed not only by whether larvae are physically transported from one reef to another, but also by whether larvae reach settlement in adequate nutritional condition to recruit and contribute to a population. As a part of a multifaceted study investigating the relative importance of local retention and long-distance dispersal in maintaining reef fish populations, we are analyzing the condition of reef fish larvae collected during two cruises in the summer of 2007.  On each cruise, ichthyoplankton and environmental measurements were collected at 90 stations on cross-shelf transects along the Florida Keys reef tract, and in the Loop Current upstream of the Keys. MOCNESS tows at each station yielded larvae from a broad range of coral reef fish taxa and, for a subset of these larvae that were identifiable to species (including reef bass, bluehead wrasse, great barracuda, and deep reef snappers), RNA/DNA ratios were obtained. This allowed for the evaluation of condition in individual larvae across water mass types and at varying distances from shore. Preliminary data reveal significant differences in larval condition among locations and habitat types. These findings should contribute to a greater understanding of the degree to which larval dispersal trajectories relate to condition and survival, and ultimately, patterns of connectivity.

  

Martha J. Hauff

 

B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Literature, Claremont McKenna College (2003)

Entered Ph.D. Program in Fall 2005

 Advisor: Dr. Robert K. Cowen

Cary Rios 
Graduate Studies Office
University of Miami
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy
S/A 132
Miami, FL 33149

Locator Code: VK
P. 305.421.4920
F. 305.421.4771
http://www.rsmas.miami.edu
crios@rsmas.miami.edu 

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