Bourses IRCP 2011 – Rynae Greta Lanyon (Fidji)
Rynae Greta Lanyon (Fidji) – Bourses IRCP 2011
Title of the project : Study of visual abilities of coral reef fish larvae in relationship with conspecifics, predators, light intensity of light traps and their brain organization.
Abstract : Among the various methods that can be utilized to study marine larval supply, (e.g., light traps, crest nets, artificial habitats and dip or semi-submersible nets (Carassou 2008) crest nets and light-traps have one major advantage over other methods: marine larvae are caught immediately prior to settlement, which would give a suitable measure of larval supply (Lecchini et al. 2006). Thus, the most commonly used sampling method for PCC is the use of light traps and crest nets as they are capable of retaining the specimens alive and in good condition (Bell et al. 2009). In my Master project, light-traps were used that captured fish larvae which are phototropically positive (Leis & McCormick 2002). The overall objective of the present study is to improve the knowledge on visual abilities of coral reef fish larvae in order to improve, in the future, the efficiency of light traps.
– Efficiency of light intensity of light traps to capture coral reef fish larvae
– Visual abilities of coral reef fish larvae in the recognition of conspecifics and predators
– Variation in Brain Organization in coral reef fish at larval stage
– Relationship between visual abilities of coral reef fish larvae and their brain organization
Main results and perspective : The brain morphology of coral reef fish larvae were found to vary among species. This could be due to different life traits among families and species. Different species also use different sensory mechanism for settlement selection which could also account for the difference in shape and size of the different brain parts in coral reef fish larvae. The lesion technique was a success but needs to be improved. This study will be continued in 2012 with a trip to Seville to learn more of the technique and to study the brain morphology of coral reef fish larvae. This study will enable me to distinguish the different parts if the brain better whereby I will be better understand the brain of coral reef fish larvae and will be able to concentrate on specific areas in the brain. The surgery equipment will be modified to suit larvae. Although the technique was conducted on adult coral reef fish, the main aim of this study is to work on coral reef fish larvae and to try and understand how the brain of coral reef fish perceives information with respect to habitat selection.
