Dispersal and connectivity of marine fishes

Marine fishes often have complex life histories in which relatively sedentary adults produce pelagic larvae capable of dispersing across vast ocean distances. Understanding where individuals originate, how populations are connected, and the degree to which populations rely on local recruitment versus external replenishment is fundamental to marine ecology, fisheries management, and conservation. Our research seeks to uncover the processes that shape dispersal and connectivity in marine fishes across spatial scales ranging from local reef systems to ocean basins.

We integrate genomics and field ecology to quantify patterns of population connectivity, identify barriers to dispersal, and understand how environmental and biological factors influence movement across seascapes. Current projects examine connectivity among reef fish populations, larval dispersal pathways, and the extent to which populations are demographically linked or locally self-sustaining.

A major goal of this research is to generate information that can directly inform marine conservation and fisheries management. By understanding how populations are connected, we can better define biologically meaningful management boundaries, evaluate the effectiveness of marine protected areas, and improve strategies for sustaining fish populations in a changing ocean.

Banner Photo: A school of yellowtail goatfish (Mulloidichthys vaniocolensis) in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Photo credit: Mark Royer