Data from: The biogeography of marine invertebrate life histories

Biologists have long sought to identify and explain patterns in the
diverse array of marine life histories. The most famous speculation about
such patterns is Gunnar Thorson’s suggestion that species producing
planktonic larvae are rarer at higher latitudes (Thorson’s rule). Although
some elements of Thorson’s rule have proven incorrect, other elements
remain untested. With a wealth of new life-history data, statistical
approaches, and remote-sensing technology, new insights into marine
reproduction can be generated. We gathered life-history data for more than
1,000 marine invertebrates and examined patterns in the prevalence of
different life histories. Systematic patterns in marine life histories
exist at a range of scales, some of which support Thorson, whereas others
suggest previously unrecognized relationships between the marine
environment and the life histories of marine invertebrates. Overall,
marine life histories covary strongly with temperature and local ocean
productivity, and different regions should be managed accordingly.