Vertical distribution of brittle star larvae in two contrasting coastal embayments: implications for larval transport.

Scientific Reports
Morgane GuillamThierry Comtet

Abstract

The ability of marine invertebrate larvae to control their vertical position shapes their dispersal pattern. In species characterized by large variations in population density, like many echinoderm species, larval dispersal may contribute to outbreak and die-off phenomena. A proliferation of the ophiuroid Ophiocomina nigra was observed for several years in western Brittany (France), inducing drastic changes on the benthic communities. We here studied the larval vertical distribution in this species and two co-occurring ophiuroid species, Ophiothrix fragilis and Amphiura filiformis, in two contrasting hydrodynamic environments: stratified in the bay of Douarnenez and well-mixed in the bay of Brest. Larvae were collected at 3 depths during 25 h within each bay. In the bay of Brest, all larvae were evenly distributed in the water column due to the intense vertical mixing. Conversely, in the bay of Douarnenez, a diel vertical migration was observed for O. nigra, with a night ascent of young larvae, and ontogenetic differences. These different patterns in the two bays mediate the effects of tidal currents on larval fluxes. O. fragilis larvae were mainly distributed above the thermocline which may favour larval retention within the b...Continue Reading

References

Feb 25, 2009·Development Genes and Evolution·Sam DupontRobert D Burke
Jun 27, 2009·The Biological Bulletin·Alan L Shanks
Mar 30, 2010·The Journal of Experimental Biology·T W Clay, D Grünbaum
Jan 1, 2009·Annual Review of Marine Science·Robert K Cowen, Su Sponaugle
Jun 1, 2006·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Richard R Strathmann, Daniel Grünbaum
Mar 20, 2015·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Heidi L FuchsF Javier Diez
Sep 4, 2015·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Heidi L FuchsF Javier Diez
Dec 4, 2015·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Karlo HockPeter J Mumby
May 22, 2016·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Jeanette D WheelerLauren S Mullineaux
Aug 1, 1992·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Richard R StrathmannMegumi F Strathmann

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
Profiler

Software Mentioned

Ocean Data View
MATLAB
MARS
mathop
Arcgis

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cell Migration

Cell migration is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, cancer metastasis, blood vessel formation and remoulding, tissue regeneration, immune surveillance and inflammation. Here is the latest research.