Long-distance dispersal via ocean currents connects Omani clownfish populations throughout entire species range.

ABSTRACT: Dispersal is a crucial ecological process, driving population dynamics and defining the structure and persistence of populations. Measuring demographic connectivity between discreet populations remains a long-standing challenge for most marine organisms because it involves tracking the movement of pelagic larvae. Recent studies demonstrate local connectivity of reef fish populations via the dispersal of planktonic larvae, while biogeography indicates some larvae must disperse 100-1000 s kilometres. To date, empirical measures of long-distance dispersal are lacking and the full scale of dispersal is unknown. Here we provide the first measure of long-distance dispersal in a coral reef fish, the Omani clownfish Amphiprion omanensis, throughout its entire species range. Using genetic assignmen

SUBMITTER: Simpson SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4167857 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature