Abstract
Theory and some empirical evidence suggest that groups of animals orient better than isolated individuals. We present the first test of this hypothesis for pelagic marine larvae, at the stage of settlement, when orientation is critical to find a habitat. We compare the in situ behaviour of individuals and groups of 10-12 Chromis atripectoralis (reef fish of the family Pomacentridae), off Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Larvae are observed by divers or with a drifting image recording device. With both methods, groups orient cardinally while isolated individuals do not display significant orientation. Groups also swim on a 15% straighter course (i.e. are better at keeping a bearing) and 7% faster than individuals. A body of observations collected in this study suggest that enhanced group orientation emerges from simple group dynamics rather than from the presence of more skilful leaders.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | e0144060 |
| Journal | PLoS One |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2015 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
With a little help from my friends : Group orientation by larvae of a coral reef fish. / Irisson, Jean Olivier; Paris-Limouzy, Claire B; Leis, Jeffrey M.; Yerman, Michelle N.
In: PLoS One, Vol. 10, No. 12, e0144060, 01.12.2015.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - With a little help from my friends
T2 - Group orientation by larvae of a coral reef fish
AU - Irisson, Jean Olivier
AU - Paris-Limouzy, Claire B
AU - Leis, Jeffrey M.
AU - Yerman, Michelle N.
PY - 2015/12/1
Y1 - 2015/12/1
N2 - Theory and some empirical evidence suggest that groups of animals orient better than isolated individuals. We present the first test of this hypothesis for pelagic marine larvae, at the stage of settlement, when orientation is critical to find a habitat. We compare the in situ behaviour of individuals and groups of 10-12 Chromis atripectoralis (reef fish of the family Pomacentridae), off Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Larvae are observed by divers or with a drifting image recording device. With both methods, groups orient cardinally while isolated individuals do not display significant orientation. Groups also swim on a 15% straighter course (i.e. are better at keeping a bearing) and 7% faster than individuals. A body of observations collected in this study suggest that enhanced group orientation emerges from simple group dynamics rather than from the presence of more skilful leaders.
AB - Theory and some empirical evidence suggest that groups of animals orient better than isolated individuals. We present the first test of this hypothesis for pelagic marine larvae, at the stage of settlement, when orientation is critical to find a habitat. We compare the in situ behaviour of individuals and groups of 10-12 Chromis atripectoralis (reef fish of the family Pomacentridae), off Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Larvae are observed by divers or with a drifting image recording device. With both methods, groups orient cardinally while isolated individuals do not display significant orientation. Groups also swim on a 15% straighter course (i.e. are better at keeping a bearing) and 7% faster than individuals. A body of observations collected in this study suggest that enhanced group orientation emerges from simple group dynamics rather than from the presence of more skilful leaders.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84955574764&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84955574764&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0144060
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0144060
M3 - Article
C2 - 26625164
AN - SCOPUS:84955574764
VL - 10
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 12
M1 - e0144060
ER -