Abstract
Predicting the oceanic dispersal of planktonic larvae that connect scattered marine animal populations is difficult, yet crucial for management of species whose movements transcend international boundaries. Using multi-scale biophysical modeling techniques coupled with empirical estimates of larval behavior and gamete production, we predict and empirically verify spatio-temporal patterns of larval supply and describe the Caribbean-wide pattern of larval connectivity for the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus), an iconic coral reef species whose commercial value approaches $1 billion USD annually. Our results provide long sought information needed for international cooperation in the management of marine resources by identifying lobster larval connectivity and dispersal pathways throughout the Caribbean. Moreover, we outline how large-scale fishery management could explicitly recognize metapopulation structure by considering larval transport dynamics and pelagic larval sanctuaries.
Highlights
The lifecycle of most marine animals includes a dispersive planktonic larval stage lasting hours to months that connects scattered populations
Knowledge of larval connectivity is crucial for understanding population dynamics and sustainably managing marine taxa whose biogeographic distributions rarely coincide with political boundaries
When we examined the oceanic pathways travelled by successfully settling larvae in contrast to the paths taken by larvae that are eventually lost from the system, zones emerged that could be described as ‘‘pelagic larval nurseries’’
Summary
The lifecycle of most marine animals includes a dispersive planktonic larval stage lasting hours to months that connects scattered populations. Recent studies of larval connectivity employing natural or artificial tags [1,2,3], biophysical modeling [4,5,6], tracking of larval patches [7], and genetic analysis [8,9,10] have revealed surprising levels of population self-recruitment, eclipsing the long-held paradigm that marine populations are largely ‘‘open’’ and dependent upon an exogenous supply of larvae [11] As compelling as these findings are, the ability to predict the actual dispersal of larvae from spawning grounds to nurseries remains a rare exception. Genetic analyses support the hypothesis of a single ‘‘pan-Caribbean’’ lobster metapopulation [16,17,18], indistinguishable within the Caribbean but distinct from a closely related species off the coast of Brazil [19]
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