DAVIS, R. L.; STEINMAN, M. *; JOHNSON, K. B.; Florida Institute of Technology: The Responses of Marine Invertebrate Larvae to Predator Chemical Cues in the Laboratory

We are exposing marine invertebrate larvae to water-borne signals from planktonic and benthic predators as the larvae approach metamorphic competence. In predator treatments, living predators are included in larval containers, but kept separate in plankton mesh pens. Settlement substratum is available from the surface to the bottom of the experimental columns. The vertical location of settlement is being monitored along with time to settlement. Control treatments allow larvae to metamorphose and settle in the absence of predators. We hypothesize that the detection of benthic predators will delay metamorphosis and settlement. By the same reasoning, the presence of planktonic predators should force metamorphosis and settlement. Both habitats� predators should influence the location of settlement within the experimental columns.