Larval Biology and Transport Scenarios for Lutjanids and Haemulids of Southwest Cuba and Southeast Florida

K. Lindeman and J. Ault
Division of Marine Biology & Fisheries, RSMAS, Univ. of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami, FL 33149 P: 305.256.9508; F: 305.256.4488; E: klindeman@rsmas.miami.edu

R. Claro
Instituto de Oceanología, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente, Havana Cuba

T. Lee
Division of Meteorology & Physical Oceanography, RSMAS, Univ. of Miami, Miami FL

D. Wilson
Physical Oceanography Division, NOAA, AOML, Miami FL

Based on otolith increment transitions associated with settlement and increment counts of settlers collected in southern Florida and western Cuba, mean planktonic larval duration (PLD) estimates ranged from 31-42 d post-fertilization in six species of Lutjanus and Ocyurus, and from 13-20 d in six species of Haemulon and Anisotremus. Larval behaviors that foster retention may influence transport more than PLDs. Snapper larvae occur offshore while grunt larvae are rare despite often being gregarious "settlers" on nearby benthic habitats. Available evidence suggests grunt larvae may associate with the middle or lower water column in a saltatory manner, characterized by near-bottom associations as early as the flexion-stage. Off southwest Cuba, an area of extensive reefs, many cyclonic and anticyclonic features have been identified during spawning seasons by satellite-tracked drifters. Gyres at several scales are also associated with the Dry Tortugas, the southwest FL shelf, and the Pourtales Platform. These have residence times exceeding known PLDs, suggesting that within-subsystem retention may be substantial. Based on PLDs and behavioral information, grunt populations may be less subject to advection than snappers. These and alternative hypotheses of taxa-specific variations in larval transport will be examined. The assumption of at least partial self-replenishment is becoming increasingly valid in several areas often assumed to primarily export spawning products.