Larval mortality from offshore mixing as a link between precompetent and competent periods of development

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Am. Nat.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/283797· OSTI ID:6647557

Jackson, G A ^[1]; Strathmann, R R

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1. Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla

A model of larval dispersal of coastal benthic invertebrates is proposed: Eddy mixing spreads larvae in the onshore-offshore direction during the period before competence to settle and continues to take larvae both onshore and offshore after they are competent to settle; predators kill larvae during both precompetent and competent periods. Distribution of larval stages of several species are consistent with the model. The model correctly predicts (1) increased competent period with increased precompetent period in comparisons among species, and (2) a competent period greater or equal to the precompetent period. The model predicts a decrease in the ratio of competent to precompetent period as precompetent period increases, which is not apparent in available data. Also, some observed competent periods are longer than those predicted by the model. Reasons for these departures from predictions are suggested. The model differs from previous optimization or maximization models for planktonic larvae by including onshore-offshore mixing and therby linking selection on the precompetent and competent periods.

• DOE Contract Number: AM03-76SF00010
• OSTI ID: 6647557
• Journal Information: Am. Nat.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Nat.; (United States) Vol. 118:1; ISSN AMNTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
COASTAL WATERS
CORRELATIONS
CURRENTS
ECOSYSTEMS
HABITAT
LARVAE
LIFE CYCLE
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIXING
MORTALITY
PLANKTON
SURFACE WATERS
WATER CURRENTS
ZOOPLANKTON