Meeting Abstract

124.5  Tuesday, Jan. 7 14:30  Ecology and phylogenetic history as predictors of marine life history mode VON DASSOW, Y.J.*; SBROCCO, E.J.; MCCLAIN, C.R.; Duke University Marine Lab; National Evolutionary Synthesis Center; National Evolutionary Synthesis Center yasmin.vondassow@duke.edu

Biogeographic patterns of marine organisms are largely a result of dispersal of early life stages. Because developmental mode directly impacts dispersal potential, factors affecting developmental mode also affect patterns of biogeography, diversity, and abundance. Marine invertebrate life histories may involve either direct development or a larval stage. The developmental mode of any given taxon may be a result of two major factors: phylogenetic constraint and ecology (or a combination of the two). Using a variety of analytical techniques, our goal is to determine the extent to which environmental and phylogenetic variables can predict developmental mode in marine invertebrates. Specifically, we examine the effects of phylogenetic history, body size, trophic level, climate, available food energy, and habitat type on development. These factors are evaluated in the marine gastropod family Conidae, which has varying developmental modes, and for which species-level phylogenies are available. Quantifying the predictive power of these variables is a first step in untangling the complex biogeographical patterns observed in marine organisms.