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<p>It is essential to better understand the pattern and pulse of vectors that transport species in the sea. Rafts, defined as floating items moved by currents and near-surface winds, have been shown to attract coastal fishes and extend their ranges beyond their previously understood biogeographic borders. The influx of anthropogenic debris and the rise of extreme weather events increase the potential for species to associate and disperse with rafts. Being able to predict which coastal fish can raft will help communities prioritize monitoring for these taxa. We 1) review the literature to assess the diversity of common rafting species; 2) use fishbase.se to mine morphological, life history, and behavioral trait data on reef-associated fishes; and 3) perform neural network modeling to determine which of these traits may predispose coastal fishes to raft. We find that high aspect ratio (AR) caudal fins, deep body shape, and schooling behavior are characteristic of fish which survive and disperse in association with floating substrates. These traits enable fish to interact with and benefit differently from rafts, providing support for several hypotheses that may explain why fish associate with floating objects. Compressed body forms enable prey species to quickly seek shelter within a raft, while high AR caudal fins enable open water predators to move efficiently between rafts. In addition, rafts assist associated fish in forming and increasing the size of protective schools.</p>

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So you think you can raft? Traits that enable fish to survive and disperse with floating objects

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月28日

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  • Clara Benadon,
  • James T. Carlton,
  • Javier Atalah,
  • Pete Nelson

摘要

It is essential to better understand the pattern and pulse of vectors that transport species in the sea. Rafts, defined as floating items moved by currents and near-surface winds, have been shown to attract coastal fishes and extend their ranges beyond their previously understood biogeographic borders. The influx of anthropogenic debris and the rise of extreme weather events increase the potential for species to associate and disperse with rafts. Being able to predict which coastal fish can raft will help communities prioritize monitoring for these taxa. We 1) review the literature to assess the diversity of common rafting species; 2) use fishbase.se to mine morphological, life history, and behavioral trait data on reef-associated fishes; and 3) perform neural network modeling to determine which of these traits may predispose coastal fishes to raft. We find that high aspect ratio (AR) caudal fins, deep body shape, and schooling behavior are characteristic of fish which survive and disperse in association with floating substrates. These traits enable fish to interact with and benefit differently from rafts, providing support for several hypotheses that may explain why fish associate with floating objects. Compressed body forms enable prey species to quickly seek shelter within a raft, while high AR caudal fins enable open water predators to move efficiently between rafts. In addition, rafts assist associated fish in forming and increasing the size of protective schools.