A review of methods for labeling and tracking marine invertebrate larvae

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Abstract
Methods for marking invertebrate larvae for use in dispersal studies include staining, tagging with calcium replacements, radiotracers and rare elements, and use of genetic, morphological, and parasite markers. The mark, release and recapture method provides a valuable approach to the study of larval movements but has been attempted only rarely, in part because of difficulties with larval recovery. Methodological and instrumentational advances may improve the feasibility of release and recovery efforts. Additional approaches to tracking larvae include visual tracking, use of isolated or point sources, Lagrangian and Eulerian methods, energetic calculations, hydro-graphic modeling and simulations. Recent emphases on physical transport mechanisms, and on the interrelationship of behavior and passive transport can be considered in the context of tracking methods. Newly-developed and recently-conceived techniques offer promise of considerable advance in our understanding of larval dispersal phenomena.