Theory 72/Timing & Gating/Marine biology
Larvae Leave on a Tide
The claim
The timing of larval release is set by the ratio of tidal amplitude to predation risk, so populations in high-predation sites release on specific tides.
01Mechanism
Release at a particular tide carries larvae away from benthic predators; the value of the timing depends on how large the tide is relative to the risk.
02Prediction
Release timing should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Release timing independent of predation would remove the gating.