Larval Ecology

Larval ecology

It is the study of processes affecting larval patterns of distribution and the consequence on the abundance of adults.

Supply-side ecology

Another term used to describe larval ecology.

Larval growth and development

Processes included in larval ecology involving changes in larvae before adulthood.

Spawning

The process of releasing reproductive propagules into the water.

Eggs and sperms

Reproductive propagules released during spawning.

Broadcast spawning

A spawning strategy where propagules are released into the water column.

Dispersal

The movement of an individual away from the population in which it was born to another area.

Settlement

The process of moving from the water column to settle to the bottom.

Recruitment

The number of recently settled juveniles first detected during surveys.

Pelagic zone

The zone in a typical marine life history containing eggs and larvae.

Demersal zone

The zone in a typical marine life history containing adults and juveniles.

Coral life cycle

A life history diagram from NOAA Fisheries illustrating coral development.

Eight-cell stage

The stage after the unfertilized egg in the crown-of-thorns starfish life cycle.

Gastrula

The crown-of-thorns starfish stage containing the archenteron.

Bipinnaria

A feeding larval stage with a fully developed digestive tract in crown-of-thorns starfish.

Brachiolaria

A larval stage with anterior arms used for benthic settlement in crown-of-thorns starfish.

Embryo

The stage immediately after fertilization in giant clam development.

Veliger

The larval stage following the trochophore stage in giant clam development.

Pediveliger

The stage before juvenile formation in giant clam development.

Metamorphosis

The process marking the transition from larval to juvenile form in giant clams.

Gametogenesis

The process involving the production of gametes in giant clams.

Anadromous

Fish migration from the sea to rivers to spawn.

Anadromous fishes

Migratory fishes such as salmon that move from sea to rivers to spawn.

Catadromous

Fish migration from rivers to the sea to spawn.

Catadromous fishes

Migratory fishes such as European eels that move from rivers to the sea to spawn.

Pelagic larval duration (PLD)

The period of development spent in the water column as plankton.

Dispersal distance

A factor often correlated with pelagic larval duration.

Planktotrophic development

A type of larval development where larvae feed on plankton and develop feeding and locomotory structures.

Ciliary bands

Structures developed by planktotrophic larvae for locomotion and feeding.

Small yolk reserves

A characteristic of the eggs produced by planktotrophic organisms.

Facultative planktotrophy

A form of planktotrophy where larvae can complete metamorphosis without feeding.

Lecithotrophic development

A type of larval development arising from few large eggs nourished by yolk reserves.

Short PLD

A common characteristic of lecithotrophic larvae.

Direct development

A developmental type where larvae resemble adults.

Brooding

A reproductive strategy associated with direct development and high parental care.

Seahorse

An example of an organism showing direct development.

Bipartite life history

A life history with separate larval and adult phases.

Greater dispersal potential

An advantage of bipartite life history allowing offspring to move long distances.

Parasite cycles

Biological cycles that can be interrupted by long PLD.

Planktonic predators

Organisms that increase vulnerability during bipartite life history.

Nutritional deficiencies

A problem resulting from delayed metamorphosis that can reduce juvenile fitness.

Growth and development, behavior, mortality, transport, and settlement processes

The five major factors influencing larval patterns.

Predation

A primary cause of larval mortality involving consumption by another organism.

Starvation

A major cause of mortality especially in obligate planktotrophic larvae.

Direct defense

A predator defense using protective structures and chemical defenses.

Diel vertical migration (DVM)

An avoidance behavior involving vertical movement between day and night.

Larval transport

The mean horizontal translocation of larvae between points per unit time.

Connectivity

A larval transport question concerning where larvae originate.

Advection and diffusion

Physical transport mechanisms involved in larval transport.

Passive particles

The traditional view of larvae carried entirely by ocean currents.

Self-recruitment

The return of larvae to their natal population.

Ocean currents

The environmental force traditionally believed to transport larvae passively.

Parentage analysis

A genetic method used as evidence for larval retention.

Larval supply

The availability or number of larvae present in an area during settlement.

Interaction with residents

Settlement interactions between larvae and existing organisms in the habitat.

Habitat selection

The behavior of selecting a favorable environment before metamorphosis.

Chemical cues

Settlement stimuli including biofilms, conspecifics, predators, and prey.

Auditory cue

A cue allowing larvae to orient toward reefs using sound.

Substrate preference

The tendency of larvae to test and prefer certain settlement surfaces.

Food or shelter

Resources affecting juvenile survivorship after settlement.