Comparison between environmental characteristics of larval bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus habitat in the Gulf of Mexico and western Mediterranean Sea

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

Atlantic bluefin tuna migrate long distances between cold-water foraging areas and warm, oligotrophic spawning areas.

“Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus (BFT) is a highly migratory species that travels long distances between cold-water foraging areas and warm, oligotrophic spawning areas (Block et al. 2005, Rooker et al. 2007, Galuardi et al. 2010).”

• cites Block et al. 2005 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Rooker et al. 2007 sourcePartly supported

  The indexed passage (section and page unavailable) describes Atlantic bluefin tuna as highly migratory and says they use temperate feeding grounds after reproduction before migrating to northern latitudes. It does not establish that they travel long distances specifically between cold-water foraging areas and warm, oligotrophic spawning areas; a search for “oligotrophic” found no matching passage. (LLM, conf=0.72)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Galuardi et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

In the Gulf of Mexico, surface temperatures during summer months reach 29 to 31°C, with no cooler waters nearby.

“where surface temperatures during summer months reach 29 to 31°C, with no cooler waters nearby (Muller-Karger et al. 1991).”

• cites Muller-Karger et al. 1991 sourcePartly supported

  The sea-surface-temperature discussion (page not available in our copy) reports that the eastern and western Gulf subregions had similar temperatures above 29°C from July through September. It does not establish that temperatures reached 31°C or that there were no cooler waters nearby beyond those two subregions. (LLM, conf=0.84)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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

Adult BFT in captivity have been observed to spawn once water temperatures reach ~22°C.

“Adult BFT in captivity have also been observed to spawn once water temperatures reach ~22°C (Sawada et al. 2005).”

• cites Sawada et al. 2005 sourceSupported

May combine two claims.

The complex mesoscale eddy fields in the western Mediterranean, resulting from inflowing Atlantic waters, contrast with the periodic shedding of large, warm anticyclonic eddies in the Gulf of Mexico.

“The complex mesoscale eddy fields in the western Medi terranean, resulting from inflowing Atlantic waters, contrast with the periodic shedding of large, warm anticyclonic eddies in the GOM (Millot, 1999, Lindo-Atichati et al. 2012)”

• cites Millot, 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Lindo-Atichati et al. 2012 sourcePartly supported

  The Introduction reports that the Gulf of Mexico’s Loop Current sheds large anticyclonic rings, with an average of 9.5 months between shedding events. Our copy does not describe those rings as warm. The western Mediterranean portion of the sentence is separately cited to Millot (1999), not this paper. (LLM, conf=0.83)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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

Few studies exist on the effects of temperature on larval tuna growth, with some studies finding no association and others a positive association.

“Few studies exist on the effects of temperature on larval tuna growth, with some studies finding no association (Jenkins et al. 1991, Tanaka et al. 2006) and others a positive association (Reglero et al. 2011, Garcia et al. 2013).”

• cites Jenkins et al. 1991 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Tanaka et al. 2006 sourcePartly supported

  The Larval growth history and growth rate section says growth histories were not found to be affected by mean water temperature at sampling stations, supporting Tanaka et al. as an example of a study finding no general association. But it also reports a significant difference at Day 7, and the Growth of larval bluefin tuna in the field section cautions that station temperatures may not reflect the temperatures larvae experienced. An unqualified finding of no association between experienced temperature and growth therefore overstates the study. (LLM, conf=0.85)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Reglero et al. 2011 sourceSupported

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

Larval BFT appear likely to feed on copepods, copepod nauplii, cladocerans and appendicularians at preflexion stages, before becoming more piscivorous postflexion.

“Studies concerning the diets of larval BFT are rare, but they appear likely to feed on copepods, copepod nauplii, cladocerans and appendicularians at preflexion stages, before becoming more piscivorous postflexion (Uotani et al. 1990, Llopiz et al. 2010, Catalán et al. 2011, Reglero et al. 2011).”

• cites Uotani et al. 1990 sourcePartly supported

  The paper’s Abstract reports that smaller bluefin tuna larvae feed mainly on copepod nauplii. It says larvae larger than 5 mm feed mainly on larger copepods, especially Corycaeus, rather than documenting a shift to fish prey. The passages do not establish preflexion feeding on cladocerans or appendicularians. (LLM, conf=0.88)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
• cites Llopiz et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Catalán et al. 2011 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

During the sampled time period, surface temperatures from CTD casts at sampled stations in the Gulf of Mexico increased from a mean of about 24.5°C to 27°C, with high variability around these means.

“During the sampled time period, surface temperatures from CTD casts at sampled stations increased from a mean of ~24.5°C to 27°C, although variability around these means was high.”

May combine two claims.

In the Balearic Islands, PC1 was the most influential predictor, implying that water mass was the most important consideration when predicting larval occurrences.

“In the BI, PC1 was the most influential predictor, implying that water mass was the most important consideration when predicting larval occurrences.”

May combine two claims.

Spawning in the Balearic Islands region tended to begin at cooler temperatures than in the Gulf of Mexico, but the rate of temperature increase through the sampling period was higher.

“Spawning in the BI region thus tended to begin at cooler temperatures than in the GOM, but the rate of temperature increase through the sampling period was higher (Fig. 4).”

May combine two claims.

Predicted and actual probabilities of larval occurrence decreased with increasing salinity and temperature at depth, suggesting lower occurrences within Loop Current waters.

“Predicted and actual probabilities of larval occurrence de crea sed with increasing salinity and temperature at depth, suggesting lower occurrences within Loop Current waters.”

May combine two claims.

In the Gulf of Mexico, surface chlorophyll was highest on the continental shelf and lowest within the Loop Current region.

“Surface chlorophyll was highest on the continental shelf, and lowest within the Loop Current region.”

May combine two claims.

In the Gulf of Mexico, PC2 was the most important variable, suggesting a strong influence of date and surface temperature.

“In the GOM, PC2 was the most important variable, suggesting a strong influence of date and surface temperature.”

May combine two claims.

In the Balearic Islands, along PC2, stations with positive values were sampled later in the year and showed higher surface temperatures along with lower surface chlorophyll.

“Along PC2, stations with positive values were sampled later in the year, and showed higher surface temperatures along with lower surface chlorophyll (Fig. 5).”

May combine two claims.

In both regions, 6 principal component axes encompassed more than 90% of the sample variability, and the first 6 axes from each PCA analysis were input to neural network models.

“In both regions, 6 principal component axes en compassed more than 90% of the sample variability, and so the first 6 axes from each PCA analysis were input to neural network models (Table 3).”

May combine two claims.

In the Balearic Islands, larvae were most likely to be collected at stations with low surface chlorophyll (<~0.2 mg m-3) and where surface temperatures were between 24 and 26°C.

“Larvae were also most likely to be collected at stations with low surface chlorophyll (<~0.2 mg m -3 ), and where surface temperatures were between 24 and 26°C (Fig. 7).”

May combine two claims.

The Gulf of Mexico during May was typically cooler in surface waters on the continental shelf than offshore, and warmer within the main body of the Loop Current.

“The GOM during May was typically cooler in surface waters on the continental shelf than offshore, and warmer within the main body of the Loop Cur-rent (Fig. 2).”

May combine two claims.

Although probabilities of occurrence in the Balearic Islands were proportionally greater at low chlorophyll values (<~0.2 mg m-3), there was no strong relationship in the Gulf of Mexico.

“However, although probabilities of occurrence in the BI were proportionally greater at low chlorophyll values (<~0.2 mg m -3 ), there was no strong relationship in the GOM.”

May combine two claims.

Salinities at the surface and at depth barely overlapped between the two study areas, with the Balearic Islands much more saline than the Gulf of Mexico (>36.4 vs. 34-37).

“In contrast, salinities at the surface and at depth barely overlapped between the 2 study areas, with the BI much more saline than the GOM (> 36.4 vs. 34-37).”

May combine two claims.

In the western Mediterranean Sea, surface chlorophyll was generally low, with higher values near the south coast of France.

“Similar to the GOM, surface chlorophyll was generally low, with higher values near the south coast of France.”

May combine two claims.

In the Gulf of Mexico, stations with negative values along PC1 had higher temperatures at 100 and 200 m depth, higher salinity at 200 m, higher geostrophic velocities and low surface chlorophyll.

“In the GOM, stations with negative values along PC1 had higher temperatures at 100 and 200 m depth, higher salinity at 200 m, higher geostrophic velocities and low surface chlorophyll.”

May combine two claims.

In the Balearic Islands, stations with positive values along PC1 had higher temperatures at depth and lower salinities throughout the water column.

“In the BI, stations with positive values along PC1 had higher temperatures at depth, and lower salinities through out the water column.”

May combine two claims.

In the western Mediterranean Sea, temperature at depth was spatially variable, with maximum values off the northern African coast.

“Temperature at depth was spatially variable, with maximum values off the northern African coast.”

May combine two claims.

In the Balearic Islands region, current velocities were generally much lower than in the Alboran Sea and also lower than in the Loop Current area of influence in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Mode rate mean currents were also observed north of the BI, however, in general, velocities in the BI region were much lower than in the Alboran Sea, and also lower than in the Loop Current area of influence in the GOM.”

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

In the Gulf of Mexico, surface salinities on the shelf were lower than in the open Gulf, in association with riverine outflow.

“Surface salinities on the shelf were lower than in the open GOM, in association with riverine outflow.”

May combine two claims.

Bluefin tuna larvae were generally collected outside of the Loop Current (indicated by temperatures at depth <22°C and geostrophic velocities <~0.25 m s-1) in 1999, and outside of the Loop Current and an associated eddy in 2006.

“BFT larvae were generally collected outside of the Loop Current (indicated by temperatures at depth < 22°C and geostrophic velocities <~0.25 m s -1 ) in 1999, and outside of the Loop Current and an associated eddy in 2006.”

May combine two claims.

In 2005, larval habitat was more favorable in the western portion of the study area, and larval distributions were shifted accordingly.

“Conversely, in 2005, larval habitat was more favorable in the western portion of the study area, and larval distributions were shifted accordingly.”

May combine two claims.

Probabilities of larval occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico showed a parabolic relationship with surface temperature, peaking between 25 and 28°C, but this relationship was only present where temperature at depth was less than around 22°C (outside the Loop Current).

“Probabilities of larval occurrence showed a parabolic relationship with surface temperature, peaking at between 25 and 28°C, however this relationship was only present where temperature at depth was less than around 22°C (i.e.outside the Loop Current).”

May combine two claims.

In the Balearic Islands neural network model, PC1 was the most important predictor, generally separating stations located in different water masses as indicated by surface salinity and temperature and salinity at depth.

“The most important predictor in the BI neural network model was PC1.This axis generally separated stations located in different water masses, as indicated by surface salinity and temperature and salinity at depth.”

May combine two claims.

In 2004, the most favorable habitat was to the east of the study area, and most positive stations were found in this area.

“In 2004, the most favorable habitat was to the east of the study area, and most positive stations were found in this area.”

May combine two claims.

Oceanographic conditions around the Balearic Islands were more complex; however, the habitat model still successfully placed most positive stations into favorable habitat.

“Oceanographic conditions around the BI were more complex; however, the habitat model still successfully placed most positive stations into favorable habitat (Fig. 10).”

May combine two claims.

In both the Gulf of Mexico and Balearic Islands, migrating adult BFT appeared to move past areas of very high current velocity, in the Loop Current and Alboran Sea respectively, and concentrate spawning in regions of moderate current flow (< 0.3 m s -1 ).

“In both the GOM and BI, migrating adult BFT appeared to move past areas of very high current velocity, in the Loop Current and Alboran Sea respectively, and concentrate spawning in regions of moderate current flow (< 0.3 m s -1 ).”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Larval BFT collections are a reliable proxy for spawning locations and habitat despite larval drift and age.

May combine two claims.

BFT larvae in both the Gulf of Mexico and Balearic Islands were most likely to be collected in regions of moderate mesoscale oceanographic activity and eddy generation, but not in areas of strong, directional flow.

“BFT larvae in both the GOM and BI were most likely to be collected in regions of moderate mesoscale oceanographic activity and eddy generation, but not in areas of strong, directional flow.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Larval BFT collections are a reliable proxy for spawning locations and habitat despite larval drift and age.

May combine two claims.

Overall, this comparative study suggested several strong similarities between BFT spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and Balearic Islands, including a preference for low chlorophyll (< 0.2 mg m -3 ), warm waters (24 to 27°C) with moderate current flows (< 0.3 m s -1 ) and high oceanographic complexity.

“Overall, this comparative study of environmental conditions on BFT spawning grounds in the GOM and BI suggested several strong similarities, in cluding a preference for low chlorophyll (< 0.2 mg m -3 ), warm waters (24 to 27°C) with moderate current flows (< 0.3 m s -1 ) and high oceanographic complexity.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Larval BFT collections are a reliable proxy for spawning locations and habitat despite larval drift and age.

May combine two claims.

Spawning seasons in both the Gulf of Mexico and western Mediterranean appeared likely to extend for around 6 to 8 weeks and were closely tied with sea temperatures.

“Spawning seasons in both regions appeared likely to extend for around 6 to 8 wk, and were closely tied with sea temperatures (Muhling et al. 2010).”

• cites Muhling et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Temperature is an important physiological control of many biological processes, including spawning.

“Temperature is an important physiological control of many biological processes, including spawning (e.g.Masuma et al. 2006), and so temperatures at 3 discrete depths (0, 100 and 200 m) were included.”

• cites Masuma et al. 2006Not checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Correlations between chlorophyll values from the two sensors were strong in both the Gulf of Mexico (Pearson's r = 0.8) and the Balearic Islands (Pearson's r = 0.86).

“Correlations between values from the 2 sensors were strong in both the GOM (Pearson's r = 0.8), and the BI (Pearson's r = 0.86).”

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

The identifications of all scombrid larvae were confirmed at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, Florida.

“The identifications of all scombrid larvae were confirmed at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, Florida.”

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

These types of neural networks are popular in ecology because they can approximate any continuous function.

“These types of neural networks are popular in ecology because they can approximate any continuous function (Olden et al. 2008).”

• cites Olden et al. 2008 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

More neurons in the hidden layer tend to improve model fit, but too many can lead to overfitting, so internal model validation is required.

“The hidden layer contains a variable number of neurons: more neurons tend to improve model fit, however too many can lead to overfitting, thus internal model validation is required (Olden et al. 2008).”

• cites Olden et al. 2008 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

Artificial neural networks generally perform well for addressing questions related to species distribution modeling.

“They generally perform well for addressing questions related to species distribution modeling (Segurado & Araujo 2004).”

• cites Segurado & Araujo 2004 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

Overfitting was prevented by holding back 20% of training data rows as the model fit was being performed and continually evaluating model fit against the hold-out dataset.

“In this study, overfitting was prevented by holding back 20% of training data rows as the model fit was being performed and continually evaluating model fit against the hold-out dataset (Sherrod 2003).”

• cites Sherrod 2003Not matched

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

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

High collinearity among input variables can result in model non-convergence, inconsistent results and degraded model performance.

“This can result in model non-convergence, inconsistent results and degraded model performance (Walczak & Cerpa 1999, Neumann 2002).”

• cites Walczak & Cerpa 1999 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Neumann 2002 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Spawning peaks around the second half of May in the Gulf of Mexico and in early July in the Balearic Islands region.

“Spawning peaks around the second half of May in the GOM (Muhling et al. 2010) and in early July in the BI region, so these months were chosen for climatological analyses.”

• cites Muhling et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

Residence time on spawning grounds is likely to be variable, with adult fish arriving and leaving throughout the spawning season.

“Although our study did not examine residence time on spawning grounds, this is likely to be variable, with adult fish arriving and leaving throughout the spawning season (Farley & Davis 1998, Block et al. 2001, Galuardi et al. 2010).”

• cites Farley & Davis 1998Not matched

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

• cites Block et al. 2001 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Galuardi et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

v-fold cross validation was used for model testing and validation.

“Logistic functions were used for hidden-and output-layer activation (Sherrod 2003), and v-fold cross validation was used for model testing and validation.”

• cites Sherrod 2003Not matched

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

May combine two claims.

Because bluefin tuna larval abundances were often low and variable, and the sampling gears between regions were not directly comparable, models were constructed to predict the presence or absence of bluefin tuna larvae rather than abundance.

“As BFT larval abundances were often low and variable, and the sampling gears between regions were not directly comparable, models were constructed to predict the presence or absence of BFT larvae, rather than abundance.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Misclassification costs were adjusted iteratively and set at the lowest possible value at which model sensitivity remained above 80%.

“This parameter was adjusted in an iterative fashion, and set at the lowest possible value at which model sensitivity remained above 80% (Muhling et al. 2010).”

• cites Muhling et al. 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Larval bluefin tuna are usually most abundant in the upper 10 to 20 m of the water column, so the Gulf of Mexico surveys probably underestimated the presence of bluefin tuna larvae substantially.

“Larval BFT are usually most abundant in the upper 10 to 20 m of the water column (Muhling et al. 2012), so the GOM surveys probably underestimated the presence of BFT larvae substantially.”

• cites Muhling et al. 2012 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

HYCOM performed quite well in replicating observed temperature and salinity fields in both regions, and surface current fields in the Gulf of Mexico, but was less successful for estimating surface currents in the Balearic Islands region.

“Although HYCOM performed quite well in replicating observed temperature and salinity fields in both regions, and surface current fields in the GOM, it was less successful for estimating surface currents in the BI region.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

To compensate for potential differences in catchability between regions and general expected inefficiencies in sampling rare larvae due to gear avoidance, misclassification costs were assigned to each model from each region.

“To compensate for this potential difference in catchability between regions, and general expected inefficiencies in sampling of rare larvae due to gear avoidance, misclassification costs were assigned to each model from each region (Sherrod 2003).”

• cites Sherrod 2003Not matched

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

The quote only partly states this claim.

The coarse nature of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program sampling grid has not allowed thorough investigation of whether spawning in the Gulf of Mexico is associated with finer-scale fronts, eddies or other oceanographic features.

“the coarse nature of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program sampling grid has not allowed thorough investigation of this.”

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

In the eastern Atlantic, BFT larvae have been collected in the far eastern Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus during June and in the central Mediterranean during July.

“In the eastern Atlantic, BFT larvae have been collected in the far eastern Mediterranean Sea near Cyprus during June (Oray & Kurakulak 2005) and in the central Mediterranean during July (Tsuji et al. 1997, Koched et al. 2012).”

• cites Oray & Kurakulak 2005Not matched

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

• cites Tsuji et al. 1997Not matched

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

• cites Koched et al. 2012Not matched

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

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

Parts of the western Caribbean are warm to a greater depth than the northern Gulf of Mexico, which may inhibit the ability of adult fish to thermoregulate by diving.

“Parts of the western Caribbean are also warm to a greater depth than the northern GOM (Gordon 1967), which may inhibit the ability of adult fish to thermoregulate by diving.”

• cites Gordon 1967 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Larvae collected are probably several days to more than a week old, implying considerable drift since spawning.

“Larvae collected are probably several days to more than a week old, implying considerable drift since spawning.”

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

Larval BFT on both sides of the Atlantic appear to grow at around 0.3 to 0.4 mm per day during early life.

“Larval BFT on both sides of the Atlantic appear to grow at around 0.3 to 0.4 mm per day during early life (Scott et al. 1993, Garcia et al. 2013)”

• cites Scott et al. 1993Not matched

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

• cites Garcia et al. 2013Not matched

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

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

The strongest fronts in the Gulf of Mexico are associated with the Loop Current.

“The strongest fronts in the GOM are associated with the Loop Current”

May combine two claims.

Within the Mediterranean Sea, spawning takes place earlier in the eastern basin, where waters warm to suitable temperatures earlier in the year.

“Within the Mediterranean Sea, spawning takes place earlier in the eastern basin, where waters warm to suitable temperatures earlier in the year (Oray & Karakulak 2005).”

• cites Oray & Karakulak 2005 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

Larvae in high-density patches may grow more slowly due to density-dependent competition for prey.

“However, larvae in high-density patches may grow more slowly due to densitydependent competition for prey (Jenkins et al. 1991).”

• cites Jenkins et al. 1991 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

In the Gulf of Mexico, lowest regional chlorophyll is usually within the Loop Current, which adult BFT avoid.

“where lowest regional chlorophyll is usually within the Loop Current, which adult BFT avoid (Teo et al. 2007).”

• cites Teo et al. 2007 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

In the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, temperature has been found to be a driving force behind spawning activity.

“In the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans, temperature has been found to be a driving force behind spawning activity (Yukinawa 1987, Miyashita et al. 2000, Medina et al. 2005”

• cites Yukinawa 1987Not matched

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

• cites Miyashita et al. 2000 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Medina et al. 2005Not matched

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

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

Egg hatching and larval development are influenced by temperature, with around 25°C suggested to be optimal.

“Egg hatching and larval development are also influenced by temperature, with around 25°C suggested to be optimal (Miyashita et al. 2000).”

• cites Miyashita et al. 2000 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

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

Larval BFT growth may accelerate with the onset of piscivory.

“with a possible acceleration of growth associated with the onset of piscivory (Kaji et al. 1996, Tanaka et al. 2012).”

• cites Kaji et al. 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Tanaka et al. 2012Not matched

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

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

Tagged fish have not been reported to travel south of Cuba on their way to the Gulf of Mexico.

“although tagged fish have not been reported to travel south of Cuba on their way to the GOM.”

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

Tagged adult BFT have been shown to migrate from the open Atlantic into the Mediterranean as far as Sicily.

“Tagged adult BFT have been shown to migrate from the open Atlantic into the Mediterranean as far as Sicily (Block et al. 2005)”

• cites Block et al. 2005 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Either additional environmental variables are important in determining actual spawning locations or additional unconfirmed spawning areas exist.

“This suggests that either additional environmental variables are important in determining actual spawning locations or that additional unconfirmed spawning areas exist.”