title: Otolith microstructure and the demography of coral reef fishes.
abstract: The ecology of planktonic larvae - particularly the extent to which larvae are transported between habitat patches - is a poorly known aspect of the life history of tropical reef-associated fishes. The logistic difficulties of studying larvae in the field and of relating their behavior in captivity to field conditions have greatly impeded the progress of research. However, a recently developed technique, based on analysis of the microstructural growth elements in otoliths ('ear stones'), may prove a powerful means of assessing the early life history of reef fishes and relating it to population and community dynamics.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Marine Laboratories, GPO Box 1538, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Thresher