Orientation in the pelagic environment: how do larval marine fish find their way home? (ARC Discovery Project administered though The Australian Museum)

Abstract:: Orientation in ocean currents is challenging for tiny fish larvae, yet is essential for finding adult habitat and completing their life cycles. Fish larvae are good at swimming and orientating, but little is known about the senses used for this other than hearing, or how orientation varies with location, species or developmental stage. We propose a combination of proven and new techniques to study the senses used by fish larvae to orientate, with emphasis on vision, olfaction and magnetism. Understanding the role of orientation behaviour in larval dispersal is needed to determine the geographic size of marine fish populations - knowledge essential for fishery management and design and operation of marine parks.
Grant type:: Australian Museum
Funded by:: Australian Museum

The University of Queensland