Patterns of recruitment of polychaetes to coral substrates at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef–an experimental approach

Abstract

The spatial and temporal patterns of recruitment of seven species in six families of polychaete to coral substrates at two sites at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, are described. Four species exhibit similar patterns of recruitment to both sites, and another species exhibits a similar pattern to both sites but with different intensities. The other two species recruit in different patterns to the two sites. All species exhibit peaks of recruitment, most during mid-summer. Recruitment during 1977 was significantly greater than during 1976 for five of the seven species. Factors responsible for this variation and the patchiness of successful settlement are discussed.