Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae
Abstract Transport of coral reef fish larvae is driven by advection in ocean currents and larval swimming. However, for swimming to be advantageous, larvae must use external stimuli as guides. One potential stimulus is “odor” emanating from settlement sites (e.g., coral reefs), signaling the upstrea...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2017-05-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02675-3 |
| _version_ | 1818425255131086848 |
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| author | Matthew A. Foretich Claire B. Paris Martin Grosell John D. Stieglitz Daniel D. Benetti |
| author_facet | Matthew A. Foretich Claire B. Paris Martin Grosell John D. Stieglitz Daniel D. Benetti |
| author_sort | Matthew A. Foretich |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Transport of coral reef fish larvae is driven by advection in ocean currents and larval swimming. However, for swimming to be advantageous, larvae must use external stimuli as guides. One potential stimulus is “odor” emanating from settlement sites (e.g., coral reefs), signaling the upstream location of desirable settlement habitat. However, specific chemicals used by fish larvae have not been identified. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is produced in large quantities at coral reefs and may be important in larval orientation. In this study, a choice-chamber (shuttle box) was used to assess preference of 28 pre-settlement stage larvae from reef fish species for seawater with DMS. Swimming behavior was examined by video-tracking of larval swimming patterns in control and DMS seawater. We found common responses to DMS across reef fish taxa - a preference for water with DMS and change in swimming behavior - reflecting a switch to “exploratory behavior”. An open water species displayed no response to DMS. Affinity for and swimming response to DMS would allow a fish larva to locate its source and enhance its ability to find settlement habitat. Moreover, it may help them locate prey accumulating in fronts, eddies, and thin layers, where DMS is also produced. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T14:11:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-437644307bac4bcf8c9a72e95f90235e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T14:11:02Z |
| publishDate | 2017-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-437644307bac4bcf8c9a72e95f90235e2022-12-21T22:58:18ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222017-05-017111010.1038/s41598-017-02675-3Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish LarvaeMatthew A. Foretich0Claire B. Paris1Martin Grosell2John D. Stieglitz3Daniel D. Benetti4Department of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of MiamiDepartment of Ocean Sciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of MiamiDepartment of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of MiamiDepartment of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of MiamiDepartment of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of MiamiAbstract Transport of coral reef fish larvae is driven by advection in ocean currents and larval swimming. However, for swimming to be advantageous, larvae must use external stimuli as guides. One potential stimulus is “odor” emanating from settlement sites (e.g., coral reefs), signaling the upstream location of desirable settlement habitat. However, specific chemicals used by fish larvae have not been identified. Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is produced in large quantities at coral reefs and may be important in larval orientation. In this study, a choice-chamber (shuttle box) was used to assess preference of 28 pre-settlement stage larvae from reef fish species for seawater with DMS. Swimming behavior was examined by video-tracking of larval swimming patterns in control and DMS seawater. We found common responses to DMS across reef fish taxa - a preference for water with DMS and change in swimming behavior - reflecting a switch to “exploratory behavior”. An open water species displayed no response to DMS. Affinity for and swimming response to DMS would allow a fish larva to locate its source and enhance its ability to find settlement habitat. Moreover, it may help them locate prey accumulating in fronts, eddies, and thin layers, where DMS is also produced.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02675-3 |
| spellingShingle | Matthew A. Foretich Claire B. Paris Martin Grosell John D. Stieglitz Daniel D. Benetti Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae Scientific Reports |
| title | Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae |
| title_full | Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae |
| title_fullStr | Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae |
| title_short | Dimethyl Sulfide is a Chemical Attractant for Reef Fish Larvae |
| title_sort | dimethyl sulfide is a chemical attractant for reef fish larvae |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02675-3 |
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