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Ontogenetic changes in responses to settlement cues by Anemonefish

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An Editorial Expression of Concern to this article was published on 15 November 2023

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Abstract

Population connectivity for most marine species is dictated by dispersal during the pelagic larval stage. Although reef fish larvae are known to display behavioral adaptations that influence settlement site selection, little is known about the development of behavioral preferences throughout the larval phase. Whether larvae are attracted to the same sensory cues throughout their larval phase, or exhibit distinct ontogenetic shifts in sensory preference is unknown. Here, we demonstrate an ontogenetic shift in olfactory cue preferences for two species of anemonefish, a process that could aid in understanding both patterns of dispersal and settlement. Aquarium-bred naïve Amphiprion percula and A. melanopus larvae were tested for olfactory preference of relevant reef-associated chemical cues throughout the 11-day pelagic larval stage. Age posthatching had a significant effect on the preference for olfactory cues from host anemones and live corals for both species. Preferences of olfactory cues from tropical plants of A. percula, increased by approximately ninefold between hatching and settlement, with A. percula larvae showing a fivefold increase in preference for the olfactory cue produced by the grass species. Larval age had no effect on the olfactory preference for untreated seawater over the swamp-based tree Melaleuca nervosa, which was always avoided compared with blank seawater. These results indicate that reef fish larvae are capable of utilizing olfactory cues early in the larval stage and may be predisposed to disperse away from reefs, with innate olfactory preferences drawing newly hatched larvae into the pelagic environment. Toward the end of the larval phase, larvae become attracted to the olfactory cues of appropriate habitats, which may assist them in identification of and navigation toward suitable settlement sites.

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Fig. 1

Change history

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Patricia Warner for her help in coral collection, Deborah Dixson for her useful comments on the manuscript, and the staff at James Cook University’s Aquarium Facility for logistical support. This research was funded by the Australian Research Council and the American Australian Association.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    D. L. Dixson, P. L. Munday, M. Pratchett & G. P. Jones

  2. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    D. L. Dixson, P. L. Munday, M. Pratchett & G. P. Jones

Authors
  1. D. L. Dixson
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  2. P. L. Munday
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  3. M. Pratchett
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  4. G. P. Jones
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Correspondence to D. L. Dixson.

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Communicated by Biology Editor Dr. Hugh Sweatman

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Dixson, D.L., Munday, P.L., Pratchett, M. et al. Ontogenetic changes in responses to settlement cues by Anemonefish. Coral Reefs 30, 903–910 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-011-0776-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-011-0776-9

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