RETRACTED: Chemically mediated behavior of recruiting corals and fishes: A tipping point that may limit reef recovery

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1255057
• Publication Date: 2014-08-21T18:15:53Z
• Authors: Danielle L. Dixson; David Abrego; Mark E. Hay
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Conservation of Natural Resources; Food Chain; behavior; Coral Reefs; Fishes; habitat selection; Anthozoa; Seaweed; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; settlement; chemical cues; recruitment; seaweed; connectivity; Larva; Animals; 14. Life underwater; coral reefs; marine protected areas

Corals and reef fish choose nice homes Young animals tend to disperse into new habitats. Can we use populations in protected areas colonize nearby recovering or overused habitats? It seems that for corals fish, the answer may be no. Dixson et al. show dispersing juvenile were overwhelmingly attracted healthy reefs but repelled by seaweeds degraded (see Perspective Bruno). Thus, even species appear passive their choice of habitat have stronger preferences than thought. Science , this issue p. 892 ; see also 879