Larval precompetency and settlement behaviour in 25 Indo-Pacific coral species.

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of coral larval precompetency periods and maximum competency windows is fundamental to understanding coral population dynamics, informing biogeography and connectivity patterns, and predicting reef recovery following disturbances. Yet for many species, estimates of these early-life history metrics are scarce and vary widely. Furthermore, settlement cues for many taxa are not known despite consequences to habitat selection. Here we performed a comprehensive experimental time-series investigation of larval settlement behaviour, for 25 Indo-Pacific broadcast-spawning species. To investigate the duration of precompetency, improve predictions of the competency windows, and compare settlement responses within and amongst species, we completed replicated and repeated 24-hour assays that

SUBMITTER: Randall CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10830509 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature