Seasonal variation in settlement probability was apparent, and patterns observed in model simulations aligned with in situ observations of recruitment. The output from our numerical model showed that larval release location accounted for most of the variation in simulated settlement. triostegus occurred along the windward coast, with the highest abundance inside KДЃneвЂohe Bay.

Our primary study region was the windward coast of OвЂahu, HawaiвЂi. We combined insights from a coupled physicalв€’biological model, parentage analyses, and field surveys to span larval dispersal pathways, endpoints, and recruitment of the convict surgeonfish Acanthurus triostegus. Existing tools in oceanography, genetics, and ecology can each reveal only part of the overall pattern of larval dispersal. An understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of larval dispersal is critical for describing connectivity and local retention. Many marine animals have a biphasic life cycle in which demersal adults spawn pelagic larvae with high dispersal potential. Two different types of color change by both sexes were associated with the two basically different patterns of spawning - in pairs and in groups. Pulses of massed group spawning may reduce the rate of egg predation per group spawning. At Palau, egg predators attacked group, rather than pair spawnings. Predatory fishes and zooplanktivorous fishes attacked spawning fishes and fed on fresh ova. Many that migrated to the reef edge were (temporarily) nonterritorial there, and spawned in groups. Some fishes spawned in pairs, either in their (intertidal and subtidal) feeding territories or in temporary spawning territories at the reef edge. Fishes that lived in intertidal areas (including some from heterosexual territorial groups) migrated to and massed and spawned at the intertidal/subtidal interface.

Peaks of spawning of three Palauan species were on days when tidal heights/amplitudes were either less than or no different from the mean. Ebb-tide spawning rhythms were evident where distinct tidal currents flowed on and off a reef: at one such site (Palau), a secondary tidal rhythm of spawning overlaid and combined with the primary rhythm to produce an apparent semi-lunar rhythm of spawning. The primary spawning rhythm appeared to be a restriction of spawning to part of the day. One other species ate both benthic algae and zooplankton, and both sexes appeared to be nonterritorial, except that males defended temporary spawning territories. Seven species, all fairly exclusively benthic feeding, defended feeding territories to some extent, and some of them formed territorial groups composed of 1 male + 1 female. Surgeonfish spawning was observed at Palau, Lizard Island, Escape Reef (all Pacific Ocean) and Aldabra (Indian Ocean).

Fish cplot size surgeonfish