A recent study provides new evidence that larvae¹ swim faster, straighter and more consistently in a common direction when together in a group. The research led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine² and Atmospheric³ Science is the first to observe group orientation⁴ behaviors of larval fish. The research team compared the movements of both individuals and groups of 10-12 in a species of damselfish, Chromis atripectoralis, in their natural environment off Lizard⁵ Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Larvae were observed by divers⁶ and by using a drifting image recording⁷ device, called the DISC (Drifting In Situ Chamber), developed by Paris.

 

The results revealed that groups swam on a 15 percent straighter course and seven percent faster than individuals. "In addition, our observations suggest that group orientation emerges from simple group dynamics⁸ rather than from the presence of more skillful leaders," said UM Rosenstiel School Associate Professor Claire Paris. This implies that the results could apply to a wide range of organisms, or even automated⁹ navigation systems, without requiring strong cognitive¹⁰ skills.

 

Schooling¹¹ behavior in adult fish is thought to be beneficial to reduce predation and to better detect food. This is the first study to report group orientation behaviors during a fish's larval stage, prior to settlement on to a reef.

 

Paris' research team plans to conduct future studies to better understand the mechanisms¹² involved in group orientation and determine if fish larvae stay in groups as soon as they hatch.

 

The study, titled "With a Little Help from my Friends: Group Orientation by Coral Reef Fish Larvae," was published in the Dec. 1, 2015 issue of the journal PLOS ONE. The study's authors include: Irisson and Paris of the UM Rosenstiel School; Jeffrey Leis and Michelle Yerman of the Australian Museum Research Institute. The study was funded by a OTIC grant from the National Science Foundation.

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