Dispersal and orientation
Larvae of most coral reef fishes disperse from natal reefs soon after hatching and return to a reef environment after a pelagic dispersal of several days to weeks. It has long been assumed that ocean currents would disperse larvae over large areas, resulting in broad genetic connectivity between reef populations. In some recent studies, however, self-recruitment (settlement on natal reefs) has turned out to be more common than previously assumed. Up to 60% of juveniles originated from the reef where they were about to settle. As member of the SFB 1372 ‘Magnetoreception and navigation in vertebrates’, we study sensory capabilities (magnetic sense, olfaction, and vision of dispersing juvenile fish) which help them to return to natal habitats.
Dispersal traits
We are interested to understand whether and why species can cope with changing environmental conditions. Physiological studies determine performance and well-being of organisms. New genetic sequencing technologies open up an unprecedented opportunity to explore the evolutionary potential of species and species communities
Read more about animal biodiversity.
