Larval Colonizing Strategies in Marine Benthic Invertebrates

Abstract

A model of colonizing strategy in planktonic larvae of marine invertebrates is proposed in which reproductive efficiency is measured by the frequency of adult habitat patches colonized by a least one larva divided by adult reproductive effort. Conditions leading to alternative energy allocation to either fuel larval habitat search or to support more efficient metamorphosis and post-larval survival are examined. Three predictions emerge: (1) Benthic organisms whose larvae colonize abundant habitat patches should lose larval stages more often than those whose larvae colonize rare patches; (2) prolonged larval life should be assoc~ated with colonization of rare patches; and (3) along clines of increasingly unfavorable conditions for larval survival, energy should be allocated to modifications reducing larval mortality and increasing energy reserves for metamorphosis and early post-larval development. Aspects of larval biology and data needs are discussed.