Asymmetric connectivity of spawning aggregations of a commercially important marine fish using a multidisciplinary approach

Marine reserves may not benefit all fishing zones equally due to asymmetric larval dispersal patterns. A multidisciplinary study of the leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) in the Gulf of California's Midriff Island region revealed that oceanographic models, combined with genetic data, explain how larvae disperse asymmetrically—primarily from the Baja Peninsula toward the Sonoran coast. This pulse-like movement, driven by cyclonic gyres during peak spawning (May-June), suggests that no-take reserves should be placed upstream of targeted fishing areas to maximize conservation benefits. While the model did not predict genetic diversity within sites, it accurately mirrored empirical connectivity patterns, highlighting the need for strategic placement of protected zones to sustain fisheries and biodiversity.

Munguia-Vega, A., Jackson, A., Marinone, S. G., Erisman, B., Moreno-Baez, M., Girón-Nava, A., Pfister, T., Aburto-Oropeza, O., & Torre, J. (2014). Asymmetric connectivity of spawning aggregations of a commercially important marine fish using a multidisciplinary approach. PeerJ, 2, e511. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.511