LARVAL DISPERSAL DISTANCE AS AN EXPLANATION FOR ADULT SPATIAL PATTERNIN 2 CARIBBEAN REEF CORALS

Larval dispersal distance is a parameter which can account for differe nces in adult spatial distribution between closely-related marine inve rtebrates. To examine its importance in relation to Caribbean reef cor als, we observed the larval swimming and settlement behavior of two Ca ribbean coral species; one of which (Favia fragum [Esper]) has a highl y aggregated adult distribution, the other of which (Agaricia agaricit es [Linnaeus]) is less aggregated. Larvae of the highly aggregated spe cies, when followed in situ by divers, settled rapidly (less than 10 m in) and showed little discrimination among different types of substrat a. Larvae of the less aggregated species swam longer and showed clear discrimination between types of substrata. Our data suggest a correspo ndence between larval swimming/settlement behavior and adult distribut ion. Such a relationship between larval behavior and adult distributio n could be important in understanding the linkage between life history and adult spatial patterns in sessile marine invertebrates.