Catalano, Katrina Alexa. Patterns, causes, and consequences of dispersal variation in a coral reef clownfish. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-5kg0-yp32
DescriptionFor all species, the movement of individuals (dispersal) is fundamental toecological and evolutionary processes, from evolutionary adaptation to population persistence and growth through time. Despite a century of studying dispersal in everything from plants to birds to fishes, we know little about how dispersal varies through time. Here, I measure substantial dispersal variability across seven years in a clownfish population of the Philippines. I investigate the causes of this dramatic variability, including ocean circulation and genetics. This dissertation provides a novel framework for studying dispersal variation and the effect on population persistence, helping to enhance conservation science.