Modeling larval fish orientation behavior

What is it about?

Using a biased correlated random walk algorithm, we simulate larval orientation towards targets (reefs); the movement of individual larvae was driven by a combination of oceanographic currents and swimming behavior. Larvae that oriented early in their pelagic phase were far more likely to find a reef than those that oriented late or did not orient at all. The larger the size of their “detection distance,” the better chance that larvae would find the reef.

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Why is it important?

This study demonstrates that even with slow swimming speeds, larvae that can detect and navigate towards reefs have a much higher chance of survival.