191
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P.L. Colin (eds.), Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations:
Biology, Research and Management, Fish & Fisheries Series 35,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1980-4_7, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
Abstract Most reef fi shes have bipartite life histories, separate pelagic-oceanic
(egg/larvae) and benthic (juvenile/adult) periods. The several-week pelagic period
has early planktonic (egg, yolk sac and prefl exion larva) and later nektonic components (post-fl exion larva to settlement); the plankton-nekton transition timing is
variable. For aggregating species, larvae are weak swimmers early in life, but late
stages are often strong swimmers able to perhaps infl uence their settlement locations. No obvious differences were found between larval stages of aggregating and
non-aggregating species and both types of spawning are found within single
families, and even within a species. There are no egg types, morphologies, feeding
strategies or special structures exclusive to aggregating species. Initial dispersal is
determined by location and time of spawning. Pelagic eggs are buoyant, keeping
them in near-surface waters and away from benthic predators. The larvae go through
a series of stages (egg, yolk sac larvae, pre- and post-fl exion larvae, pelagic juvenile), becoming larger and more capable over time. Critical periods occur and can
cause major mortality of a cohort. Ocean conditions during the early egg and yolk
sac stage are critical to survival followed by initiation of feeding as a second critical
event. During pelagic life larvae must survive in open water, fi nd appropriate food
as larvae and avoid predators. Cohorts from aggregations can recruit as a large pulse,
but other fi shes may also have such pulses. The mass spawnings of reef invertebrates,
such as stony corals, are generally not comparable to those of fi shes, while crustaceans (spiny lobsters, marine crabs, terrestrial crabs) have some similarities. There
is a need for fi sheries oceanography research on aggregation spawning, as well as
more work on laboratory culture. The question of potential maternal benefi ts to
larvae needs careful attention.
P. L. Colin (*)
Coral Reef Research Foundation , P.O. Box 1765, Palau 96940, Koror
e-mail: crrf@palaunet.com
Chapter 7
Aggregation Spawning: Biological Aspects
of the Early Life History
Patrick L. Colin
Y. Sadovy de Mitcheson and P.L. Colin (eds.), Reef Fish Spawning Aggregations:
Biology, Research and Management, Fish & Fisheries Series 35,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-1980-4_7, © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012
Abstract Most reef fi shes have bipartite life histories, separate pelagic-oceanic
(egg/larvae) and benthic (juvenile/adult) periods. The several-week pelagic period
has early planktonic (egg, yolk sac and prefl exion larva) and later nektonic components (post-fl exion larva to settlement); the plankton-nekton transition timing is
variable. For aggregating species, larvae are weak swimmers early in life, but late
stages are often strong swimmers able to perhaps infl uence their settlement locations. No obvious differences were found between larval stages of aggregating and
non-aggregating species and both types of spawning are found within single
families, and even within a species. There are no egg types, morphologies, feeding
strategies or special structures exclusive to aggregating species. Initial dispersal is
determined by location and time of spawning. Pelagic eggs are buoyant, keeping
them in near-surface waters and away from benthic predators. The larvae go through
a series of stages (egg, yolk sac larvae, pre- and post-fl exion larvae, pelagic juvenile), becoming larger and more capable over time. Critical periods occur and can
cause major mortality of a cohort. Ocean conditions during the early egg and yolk
sac stage are critical to survival followed by initiation of feeding as a second critical
event. During pelagic life larvae must survive in open water, fi nd appropriate food
as larvae and avoid predators. Cohorts from aggregations can recruit as a large pulse,
but other fi shes may also have such pulses. The mass spawnings of reef invertebrates,
such as stony corals, are generally not comparable to those of fi shes, while crustaceans (spiny lobsters, marine crabs, terrestrial crabs) have some similarities. There
is a need for fi sheries oceanography research on aggregation spawning, as well as
more work on laboratory culture. The question of potential maternal benefi ts to
larvae needs careful attention.
P. L. Colin (*)
Coral Reef Research Foundation , P.O. Box 1765, Palau 96940, Koror
e-mail: crrf@palaunet.com
Chapter 7
Aggregation Spawning: Biological Aspects
of the Early Life History
Patrick L. Colin