Larval distributions and the spatial patterns of settlement of an oyster reef fish: responses to flow and structure

Abstract

Field experiments with the naked goby Gobiosoma bosc, a benthic oyster reef fish, indicated that larvae aggregate in low-flow areas on the downcurrent sides of rocks, and shift position with changing flow directions. Larger aggregations of larvae were found in downcurrent positions at rocks that created larger low-flow zones, and during parts of the tidal cycle with higher ambient flow velocities. Settlement occurred in a highly aggregated pattern that reflected larval distributions. Results suggest that the active response of fish larvae to either direct or indirect effects of flow on reefs may be important to fine-scale spatial patterns of settlement. -from Authors