This project used a model species (a goby, Elacatinus lori) to tackle a fundamental question in biological oceanography ? how do the larvae (immature stages) of coral reef fishes (and by extension, thousands of other species of marine fishes with pelagic larvae) use their sensory systems (smell, taste, flow sensing, hearing, vision) to find the coral reefs on which they will live out their lives?  The outcomes of the work done in the Webb Lab will be integrated with behavioral data (collected during field studies by collaborators) to predict patterns of larval dispersal, which has implications for our understanding of fish ecology and conservation. We used a combination of morphological techniques (histology, scanning electron microscopy, micro-computed tomography [?CT], and vital fluorescent imaging) to describe the morphology and development of all of the major sensory systems throughout the larval period - the first data of its kind for any coral reef fish. For instance, our description of the development of the nose (smell) and taste buds (taste) resulted in the presentation of a novel hypothesis that the taste buds in the mouth, not necessarily the olfactory system, of pelagic larvae mediate chemosensory contributions to orientation behavior (published in Journal of Fish Biology). There is growing evidence that sounds arising from reefs (the soundscape) serve as cues for larvae seeking reef settlement sites. Our work on the development of the ear (hearing) showed that, if these larvae are using sound cues to find a reef, their structurally generalized ears (like those of other fishes) must be sufficient to accomplish the task (manuscript in preparation). Our analysis of the development of the mechanosensory lateral line system (flow sensing; manuscript in preparation) revealed how the complex distribution of hundreds of receptor organs on the skin develop, providing a valuable context for further study of this system and its functional role in gobies, and in other fishes. Despite a large number of published papers on some aspects of larval behavior and responses of larvae to either light, sound or chemical stimuli in lab and field studies, we have carried out the first integrated study of the developmental anatomy of all sensory systems and behavioral data obtained in the field (carried out by collaborators) for the first time (manuscript in preparation). We have made important contributions to our understanding of the sensory systems in developing fishes. It is predicted that our work will make a significant impact on our understanding of the ecology of larval marine fishes and the role of sensory biology in the behavior of early life history stages of fishes. This project had several types of broader impacts. One post-doc and one graduate student were trained and four undergraduates participated in our work. They learnred valuable laboratory and data visualization and analysis skills, thus integrating education and research in a meaningful way. All members of the lab participated in activities of the URI Chapter of the Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS), a remarkable new organization, a Marine Science Open House for the public, and outreach activities at a public aquarium and an on campus event for middle school students. This work has already inspired additional collaborations that will address aspects of hearing in larval fishes, and the planning of scientific conference symposia that will further explore the sensory ecology of larval fishes. Seven papers were given at scientific conferences, and others that are an extension of this work are planned.  

Last Modified: 08/09/2019
Modified by: Jacqueline F Webb