High‐Frequency Sampling and Piecewise Models Reshape Dispersal Kernels of a Common Reef Coral

Authors

Joanne Moneghetti, James Cook University - Townsville, Australia
Joana Figueiredo, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Andrew H. Baird, James Cook University - Townsville, Australia
Sean R. Connolly, James Cook University - Townsville, Australia

ORCID

0000-0001-6597-0268

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Ecology

ISSN

0012-9658

Publication Date

4-16-2019

Keywords

Dispersal potential, Larval settlement, Settlement competence, Larval survival, Connectivity, Piecewise model

Abstract

Models of dispersal potential are required to predict connectivity between populations of sessile organisms. However, to date, such models do not allow for time‐varying rates of acquisition and loss of competence to settle and metamorphose, and permit only a limited range of possible survivorship curves. We collect high‐resolution observations of coral larval survival and metamorphosis, and apply a piecewise modeling approach that incorporates a broad range of temporally‐varying rates of mortality and loss of competence. Our analysis identified marked changes in competence loss and mortality rates, whose timing implicates developmental failure and depletion of energy reserves. Asymmetric demographic rates suggest more intermediate‐range dispersal, less local retention, and less long‐distance dispersal than predicted by previously‐employed non‐piecewise models. Because vital rates are likely temporally asymmetric, at least for non‐feeding broadcast‐spawned larvae, piecewise analysis of demographic rates will likely yield more reliable predictions of dispersal potential.

DOI

10.1002/ecy.2730

First Page

e02730, 1

Last Page

31

Comments

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Additional Comments

Australian Research Council grant #: DP110101168

NSUWorks Citation

Joanne Moneghetti, Joana Figueiredo, Andrew H. Baird, and Sean R. Connolly. 2019. High‐Frequency Sampling and Piecewise Models Reshape Dispersal Kernels of a Common Reef Coral .Ecology : e02730, 1 -31. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/984.