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Cited by 64Coral and Marine Ecosystems StudiesMarine and fisheries researchIchthyology and Marine Biology

Encounter with Mesoscale Eddies Enhances Survival to Settlement in Larval Coral Reef Fishes

Open access
Shulzitski, Kathryn, Sponaugle, Su, Hauff, Martha, Walter, Kristen D., Cowen, Robert K.·2016·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DOI 10.1073/pnas.1601606113PMC PMC4922168
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Abstract

Significance: Quantifying connectivity among geographically separated subpopulations is necessary for successful management and conservation of marine resources, and a mechanistic understanding of growth and mortality during the pelagic larval stage is essential for obtaining accurate predictions of dispersal and population replenishment. Our finding that the pelagic environment encountered by larvae of coral reef fishes significantly influences larval growth, selective mortality, and the composition of survivors has important implications for understanding population connectivity. High productivity oceanographic features enhance larval survival and potentially increase the contribution of locally spawned larvae to reef populations. Incorporation of spatially explicit larval growth and survivorship into dispersal models will improve quantification of population connectivity for marine organisms both now and in the future.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Larval coral reef fishes that encountered mesoscale eddies in the Straits of Florida grew faster and were more likely to survive to settlement than larvae outside eddies. The study links a high-productivity pelagic feature to selective mortality and population replenishment in two of three reef fish species examined.

Key findings

  • For *Thalassoma bifasciatum* and *Cryptotomus roseus*, non-eddy (NE) larvae had significantly slower growth than eddy (ED) and/or survivor (SUR) groups in all sampled cohorts (June 2007, August 2007, June 2008); ED growth trajectories closely matched SUR.
  • Size-at-age was significantly larger for ED and SUR fish than NE fish at specific ages; by day 15, SUR size distributions overlapped more with ED than NE for *T. bifasciatum* and *C. roseus*.
  • In August 2007, older surviving NE *T. bifasciatum* larvae grew significantly slower than younger NE larvae at 6–10 dph (F = 27.40, P < 0.001) and 11–15 dph (F = 29.01, P < 0.001), indicating selective loss of faster growers outside eddies.
  • For *Stegastes partitus*, mean growth and size-at-age did not differ significantly among ED, NE, and SUR groups.

Methods

  • Repeatedly sampled cohorts of three coral reef fishes across successive habitats in the western Straits of Florida during three 15–16-day cruises in summers 2007 and 2008, using MOCNESS ichthyoplankton tows, light traps, and diver surveys.
  • Located six mesoscale eddies and classified larvae as inside (ED) or outside (NE) eddies; compared them with survivors (SUR) collected as late-stage larvae or newly settled juveniles.
  • Used otolith microstructure analysis to estimate daily growth and size-at-age, then compared groups with one-way ANOVAs and Tukey post hoc tests; hatch dates were restricted to a 30-day window.

Limitations

  • The paper states that *S. partitus* larvae were collected only up to ~10 dph, which may have been insufficient for differences between water masses to emerge; it also notes possible invariant growth or species-specific diet effects.
  • The paper states that extreme selection on the NE group late in the larval period and subsequent survival to settlement cannot be entirely ruled out.
  • Evident from the text: this is an observational field study without experimental manipulation, and some cohort comparisons had small sample sizes (e.g., June 2008 ED *T. bifasciatum* and June 2008 SUR *C. roseus*).

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.1601606113

Cites

41 of 41 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

9 of 20 cited sources checked · 6 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Eddies have been correlated with the arrival of large pulses of late-stage larvae to coral reefs.

    “the arrival of large pulses of late-stage larvae to coral reefs (5,6).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] source
    • cites [6] source
  • Premisecitation

    Selective mortality favoring slow growers has been shown for T. bifasciatum larvae collected in oligotrophic waters in the Straits of Florida.

    “Selective mortality favoring slow growers has been shown for T. bifasciatum larvae collected in oligotrophic waters in the Straits of Florida (14).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] source

      The Discussion reports that older, surviving T. bifasciatum larvae grew more slowly than younger larvae collected in the Straits of Florida, consistent with selective loss of fast growers during early larval life. It treats selective mortality as the most parsimonious explanation, rather than a directly demonstrated mechanism, and our copy does not describe the sampled waters as oligotrophic. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Enhanced growth and condition of larvae sampled from eddies suggest that these habitats are advantageous.

    “In addition, enhanced growth and condition of larvae sampled from eddies suggest that these habitats are advantageous (4,20).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [4] source
    • cites [20] source

      The Results (page unavailable) report better nutritional condition for anchovy larvae collected at eddy stations, but only in the smaller 6–8 mm size class; the difference was absent in larger larvae. The paper does not report enhanced larval growth in eddies: its length comparison uses an assumed growth rate for coastal larvae. The Discussion suggests eddies may benefit recruitment through greater food availability. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Retention of larvae in nearshore versus offshore waters significantly alters larval quality and postsettlement survival.

    “Retention of larvae in nearshore versus offshore waters also significantly alters larval quality and postsettlement survival (24,25).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [24] source
    • cites [25] source
  • Premisecitation

    Larvae from distant upstream sources likely arrive to the Straits of Florida via the Florida Current.

    “Larvae from distant upstream sources likely arrive to the Straits of Florida via the Florida Current.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 10
  • May combine two claims. 23
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 29

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    All otoliths were read at least twice, and if reads differed by ≤5%, one read was randomly chosen; if reads differed by >5%, a third read was conducted; otoliths where all reads differed by >5% were removed from further analyses.

    “All otoliths were read at least twice, and if the reads differed by ≤5%, one read was randomly chosen for analysis.If reads differed by >5%, a third read was conducted and compared with the first two reads.If any comparison differed by ≤5%, one read from that comparison was randomly chosen for analysis; otoliths where all reads differed by >5% were removed from any further analyses (14).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] source

      The Otolith analysis section says each otolith was read twice, a third reading was made when the first two differed by ≥5%, and an otolith was discarded if the age discrepancy remained ≥5%. The citing sentence reverses the boundary at exactly 5%: it says a third reading occurred only when the difference was >5% and that a difference of ≤5% qualified for random selection. Page numbers are not provided in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although biophysical models show that some larvae may arrive to Florida reefs from distant upstream sources via the Florida Current, our results suggest that those exhibiting slow growth do not survive the journey.

    “Although biophysical models show that some larvae may arrive to Florida reefs from distant upstream sources via the Florida Current (e.g., ref. 22), our results suggest that those exhibiting slow growth do not survive the journey.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Water temperature directly affects traits such as pelagic larval duration through its regulation of developmental processes and changes the strength and direction of selective mortality.

    “For example, water temperature directly affects traits such as pelagic larval duration through its regulation of developmental processes (17) and changes the strength and direction of selective mortality (16).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [17] source
    • cites [16] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Settlement to reefs occurs regularly in the absence of eddies, demonstrating that larvae can transit from the Florida Current to nearshore reefs.

    “settlement to reefs occurs regularly in the absence of eddies (6), demonstrating that larvae can transit from the Florida Current to nearshore reefs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For S. partitus, mean growth and corresponding sizes-at-age did not differ significantly among ED, NE, and SUR groups.

    “For S. partitus, mean growth and corresponding sizesat-age did not differ significantly among ED, NE, and SUR groups (Table S1).”
    • Also stated in: § Conclusions · plain
      “However, it is also worth noting that there was no difference in growth or size for S. partitus larvae collected between the two environments (i.e., ED and NE).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    ED and NE fish grew well (similar early growth) and experienced no growth-based selective loss in June.

    “ED and NE fish grew well (similar early growth) and experienced no growthbased selective loss.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The size-at-age distributions of survivors overlap most completely with those of ED larvae; the distributions of NE fish only overlap a portion of the survivor distributions.

    “In support of this conclusion, the size-at-age distributions of survivors overlap most completely with those of the ED larvae; the distributions of NE fish only overlap a portion of the survivor distributions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Trait-based selection varied spatially across ED and NE water masses, and temporally between summer months with contrasting temperatures.

    “Trait-based selection varied spatially across ED and NE water masses, and temporally between summer months with contrasting temperatures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Overall, there was consistent preferential survival of fast growers and individuals with large sizes-at-age, traits that were associated with entrainment in mesoscale eddies.

    “However, overall, there was consistent preferential survival of fast growers and individuals with large sizes-at-age, traits that were associated with entrainment in mesoscale eddies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The pelagic environment experienced by larvae significantly affected growth and patterns of selective mortality.

    “The pelagic environment experienced by larvae significantly affected growth and patterns of selective mortality.”
    • Also stated in: § Conclusions · boosted
      “Our results demonstrate that the pelagic environment significantly influences growth and shapes patterns of selective mortality in the early life stages of reef fishes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    ED larvae of T. bifasciatum and C. roseus exhibited faster growth and their growth trajectories closely matched those of the SUR group.

    “ED larvae of T. bifasciatum and C. roseus exhibited faster growth and their growth trajectories closely matched those of the SUR group (Table 1 and Fig. 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For larvae outside of eddies, patterns of selective mortality varied over time: in June, there was no significant trait-based loss, whereas in August, slow growers preferentially survived.

    “However, for larvae outside of eddies, patterns of selective mortality varied over time: In June, there was no significant traitbased loss, whereas in August, slow growers preferentially survived.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 14-16 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 40.76, n = 57/21/61).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for C. roseus, mean size-at-age at 15 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 20.82, n = 38/32).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for C. roseus, mean growth at 4-6 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 15.29, n = 39/35).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 24-26 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 25.86, n = 14/44).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 15 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 9.62, n = 24/44).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 25 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 85.90, n = 35/0/61).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for C. roseus, mean size-at-age at 5 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 4.46, n = 38/119/50).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 14-16 dph was significantly lower in NE and ED than in SUR (F = 8.16, n = 88/85/29).

    “NE, ED < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 15 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 3.24, n = 88/85/29).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for C. roseus, mean size-at-age at 25 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 41.69, n = 28/30/50).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 5 dph did not differ significantly among ED, NE, and SUR groups (F = 3.51, n = 25/44).

    “ns”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 5 dph was significantly lower in NE and ED than in SUR (F = 9.72, n = 88/86/29).

    “NE, ED < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 15 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 35.97, n = 58/23/61).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 25 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 4.83, n = 28/35/29).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 24-26 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 70.18, n = 31/0/61).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for C. roseus, mean growth at 14-16 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 8.77, n = 38/28).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for C. roseus, mean growth at 24-26 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 33.14, n = 27/22/50).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 14-16 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 9.37, n = 24/44).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 5 dph did not differ significantly among ED, NE, and SUR groups (F = 2.48, n = 58/29/61).

    “ns”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 24-26 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 19.23, n = 21/29/29).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for C. roseus, mean size-at-age at 5 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 5.30, n = 39/35).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for C. roseus, mean growth at 24-26 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 20.55, n = 32/13).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 4-6 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 7.01, n = 25/44).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for C. roseus, mean growth at 14-16 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 18.31, n = 37/112/50).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for T. bifasciatum, mean size-at-age at 25 dph was significantly lower in NE than in SUR (F = 24.32, n = 16/44).

    “NE < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for C. roseus, mean size-at-age at 15 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 38.33, n = 37/119/50).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for C. roseus, mean growth at 4-6 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED and SUR (F = 5.49, n = 38/119/50).

    “NE < ED, SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In August 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 4-6 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 5.62, n = 58/29/61).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2008, for C. roseus, mean size-at-age at 25 dph was significantly lower in NE than in ED (F = 46.82, n = 35/14).

    “NE < ED”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In June 2007, for T. bifasciatum, mean growth at 4-6 dph was significantly lower in NE and ED than in SUR (F = 3.80, n = 88/86/29).

    “NE, ED < SUR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.
    • Rests on an assumption: Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Our results are consistent with previous hypotheses that high productivity of certain eddies promotes fast larval growth and enhanced survival and that these physical features can retain, and possibly deliver, larvae to suitable settlement habitat.

    “Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous features of the global ocean, and our results are consistent with previous hypotheses that high productivity of certain eddies promotes fast larval growth and enhanced survival and that these physical features can retain, and possibly deliver, larvae to suitable settlement habitat (3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [3]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    ED fish had access to sufficient food to sustain high growth, but in nutrient-poor waters outside of eddies, only those fish growing at relatively slower rates survived.

    “ED fish had access to sufficient food to sustain high growth, but in nutrient-poor waters outside of eddies, only those fish growing at relatively slower rates survived.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The Florida Current waters are oligotrophic.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Eddies have been correlated with high survival of pelagic larvae.

    “eddies have been correlated with high survival of pelagic larvae (19)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [19] source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Larvae in eddies had a survival advantage and likely contributed disproportionately to population replenishment.

    “Thus, larvae in eddies had a survival advantage and likely contributed disproportionately to population replenishment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Previous studies have indirectly implicated mesoscale eddies in providing a survival advantage for fish larvae.

    “Previous studies have indirectly implicated mesoscale eddies in providing a survival advantage for fish larvae.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    By August, water temperatures pushed larval growth rates higher and prey differences between water masses became important.

    “By August, water temperatures pushed larval growth rates higher and prey differences between water masses became important.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Fast larval growth and larger sizes-at-age translated into a survival advantage suggesting that fish entrained in mesoscale eddies preferentially survived to settle to reefs, whereas slow-growing larvae outside of eddies were more likely to be selectively lost from the population.

    “Fast larval growth and larger sizes-at-age translated into a survival advantage suggesting that fish entrained in mesoscale eddies preferentially survived to settle to reefs, whereas slowgrowing larvae outside of eddies were more likely to be selectively lost from the population.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Marine environments are spatially complex and patchy, and our results demonstrate that larval entrainment in oceanographic features, such as eddies and fronts, which enhance and concentrate productivity, may be critical for population replenishment.

    “Marine environments are spatially complex and patchy, and our results demonstrate that larval entrainment in oceanographic features, such as eddies and fronts, which enhance and concentrate productivity, may be critical for population replenishment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Although reduced survival to settlement for larvae outside of eddies is the most parsimonious interpretation of the data, extreme selection on the NE group late in the larval period and subsequent survival to settlement cannot be entirely ruled out.

    “Although reduced survival to settlement for larvae outside of eddies is the most parsimonious interpretation of the data, extreme selection on the NE group late in the larval period and subsequent survival to settlement cannot be entirely ruled out.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The abundance and size distribution of the subset of larvae used for otolith analysis was proportional to that of all larvae in each sample.

    “The abundance and size distribution of the subset of larvae used for otolith analysis was proportional to that of all larvae in each sample.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    ANOVA was used despite some nonnormality or heteroscedasticity because ANOVA is robust to deviations from assumptions when sample sizes are sufficiently large.

    “For a few cases, transformation was ineffective and data remained nonnormal or heteroscedastic; however, because ANOVA has been shown to be robust to deviations from assumptions when sample sizes are sufficiently large, and considering our sample sizes, we proceeded with”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Slow-growing larvae outside of mesoscale eddies had a survival disadvantage and, thus, were less likely to contribute significantly to the survivors settling to reef habitats.

    “Slow-growing larvae outside of mesoscale eddies had a survival disadvantage and, thus, were less likely to contribute significantly to the survivors settling to reef habitats.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    These small, slow growing larvae have higher probability of starvation and predation mortality, leading to a lower chance of successful settlement.

    “These small, slow growing larvae have higher probability of starvation and predation mortality, leading to a lower chance of successful settlement.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Larvae with hatch dates outside a 30-d window were removed from further analyses to ensure that larvae belonged to a single cohort.

    “Then all hatch dates falling outside of a 30-d hatch window were removed from further analyses.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although some NE fish may have contributed to the SUR population, based on trait distributions, it is likely that ED fish make up a significantly larger proportion of the fast-growing survivors.

    “Although some NE fish may have contributed to the SUR population, based on trait distributions, it is likely that ED fish make up a significantly larger proportion of the fast-growing survivors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Entrainment in an eddy not only can facilitate physical retention of locally spawned larvae, but via increased larval growth and survival, may also substantially enhance the contribution of locally spawned larvae to reef populations.

    “Therefore, entrainment in an eddy not only can facilitate physical retention of locally spawned larvae (as hypothesized by Lee et al.,ref. 23), but via increased larval growth and survival, may also substantially enhance the contribution of locally spawned larvae to reef populations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

58 of 58

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The Florida Current waters are oligotrophic.

    “Most of the NE fish in our analyses were sampled from the oligotrophic Florida Current”
    “in nutrient-poor waters outside of eddies”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The SUR group (settlers) represents survivors from the same larval cohorts as the ED and NE larvae sampled in the plankton.

    “survivors (SUR) collected as late-stage larvae in light traps as they settled to reefs”
    “comparison of larval traits to those of settlers on the reef enabled resolution of spatially explicit differential survival.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Late-stage larvae collected in light traps and juveniles collected on reefs (SUR) are survivors from the same larval pool as the offshore ED and NE larvae.

    “we compared larval traits between offshore larvae (i.e., ED and NE) and late-stage larvae collected in light traps (C.roseus and S. partitus) or juveniles collected on the reef (T.bifasciatum), representing SUR that successfully settled nearshore.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were exposed to eddy conditions throughout their larval life, and those collected well outside were not.

    “Larvae collected at stations well inside of an eddy were classified as ED fish and those collected well outside of an eddy as NE fish.”
4 of 4

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Claimed August 2007 growth difference is absent from the corresponding table

    Minor

    The text says surviving C. roseus grew significantly faster than eddy larvae by day 15. Table 1's corresponding 14-16 dph comparison reports both groups as faster than non-eddy larvae, but does not report a significant difference between the surviving and eddy groups.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. TN Lee, ME Clarke, E Williams, AF Szmant, T Berger, Evolution of the Tortugas gyre and its influence on recruitment in the Florida Keys. Bull Mar Sci 54, 621–646 (1994).

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Shulzitski, K., Sponaugle, S., Hauff, M., Walter, K. D., & Cowen, R. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Miami (US)
  • Oregon State University (US)
Corresponding author
Shulzitski, Kathryn
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Published
2016-06-06
Volume
113
Issue
25
Pages
6928-6933
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1601606113
PMC
PMC4922168
OpenAlex
W2465857460
Cited by
64
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2
FWCI
6.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.pnas.org/preview_site/misc/userlicense.xhtml (vor)
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Foundation (OCE 0550732, DGE 0638135, OCE 1419987)
  • DOC | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NA11NOS4780045)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ichthyology and Marine Biology
Keywords
mesoscale eddies, larval survival, coral reef fish, larval growth, otolith microstructure, Thalassoma bifasciatum, selective mortality, larval dispersal, Florida Current, Florida Straits, larval habitat, temperature effects on growth
MeSH terms
Animals, Fishes, Larva, Coral Reefs

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-16.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-16.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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