UCB Moorea Class: Biology and Geomorphology of Tropical Islands

Planktonic larvae of many marine organisms have been known to cycle in abundance according to lunar phases. It is unknown, however, if these cycles are caused by timed release of larvae by the adults in accordance with lunar cues or if predation pressure on the larvae varies across the lunar cycle. Larvae of some invertebrate taxa are capable of predator detection and avoidance, suggesting that predation on meroplankton is lower than dispersal models predict. This study tracked lunar cycling of decapod larvae from Oct. 6, 2008 to Nov. 13, 2008 in Moorea, French Polynesia. Predator avoidance capabilities of the larvae and relative predation pressure during each phase of the moon were also tested in a laboratory setting. Larval abundances on the reef were highest during the new moon period and lowest during quarter and full moons, suggesting predation does affect lunar abundance cycling. Decapod megalops stage larvae were found to be capable of predator avoidance but younger stage zoeas were not. Predation pressure was also found to correlate directly with light intensity. Results of this study suggest predation does affects larval population cycling, however it is possible that both predation and larval release timing play a role in shaping larval abundances and dispersal.