Coral Reef Fish: Not Such a Family Affair

KAUST researchers, including Ibrahim Hoteit, have challenged existing assumptions about juvenile fish settlement patterns on coral reefs in the Red Sea. In a study of the anemonefish Amphiprion bicinctus on the Qita al Girsh reef, they discovered surprisingly low levels of localized settlement, which could have significant implications for marine reserve design and reef management.

The research team, led by Michael Berumen, combined genetic parentage analysis and biophysical modeling to understand fish larvae dispersal. They found that the majority of juvenile fish did not return to the reef where they were born, indicating that local recruitment (or self-recruitment) was lower than previously thought.

Ibrahim Hoteit contributed to the modeling of larvae dispersal patterns using KAUST’s supercomputing facilities. His work helped predict the surprisingly low local retention of larvae in this area, which could be linked to local current patterns or larval behavior in specific environmental conditions.

“Our findings emphasize the importance of using a combined approach to study more species in diverse locations,” Berumen explained. This research is essential for better understanding how marine reserves can be optimally designed, ensuring the long-term health of coral reef ecosystems.

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