SETTLEMENT PREFERENCES IN CORAL-REEF FISHES - EFFECTS ON PATTERNS OF ADULT AND JUVENILE DISTRIBUTIONS, INDIVIDUAL FITNESS AND POPULATION-STRUCTURE

Coral-reef fishes exhibit a wide range of habitat preferences at settl ement. However, the consequences of these preferences to fitness and p opulation dynamics are poorly known. We critically evaluate evidence f or these consequences from recent studies of settlement preferences, a nd note that most studies have concentrated on only a few common taxa. We recommend that this taxonomic base be broadened, and that settleme nt preferences be incorporated into future studies of the link between larval supply and population dynamics of reef fishes.