Growth-related advantages for survival to the point of replenishment in the coral reef fish Stegastes partitus (Pomacentridae)

Abstract

Records of age and growth stored within otoliths were used to compare early life history traits with patterns of light trap catches for the damselfish Stegastes partitus (Poey). Otoliths provided strong evidence that fast growing cohorts of S. partitus larvae had higher survivorship than slow growing cohorts. Average growth rates during the larval phase accounted for 83% of the variability in the magnitude of catches in light traps on a monthly basis. This result suggests that fast growing cohorts of larvae contribute more to the replenishment of benthic populations than slow growing cohorts of this species. Multiple regression identified water temperature, rainfall and wind component as important determinants of larval growth, age at capture and monthly catches of this species. These variables accounted for 7 to 36% of the variance in growth rates, while water temperature was moderately correlated (r2 = 0.48) with catches. If such correlations between larval growth rates and replenishment are a general phenomenon, then this may provide a simple means of predicting year-class success in a range of reef fishes.