Fact Check: Nautilus species are found in Indo-pacific ocean

Fact Check: Nautilus Species are Found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean

What We Know

The claim that "Nautilus species are found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean" is supported by a variety of scientific sources. Nautilus, particularly the species Nautilus pompilius, is known to inhabit the Indo-Pacific region, which includes tropical and warm temperate waters. According to a study published in the Journal of Marine Biology, populations of Nautilus pompilius are distributed across several locations in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines, eastern Australia (Great Barrier Reef), Vanuatu, American Samoa, and Fiji (Vandepas et al.).

Further corroborating this, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states that the chambered nautilus is primarily found in the western Pacific Ocean and coastal areas of the Indian Ocean (NOAA). Additionally, Wikipedia notes that nautiluses are restricted to the Indo-Pacific, specifically from 30° N to 30° S latitude and 90° E to 175° E longitude, indicating a broad distribution across this oceanic region (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from multiple credible sources. The study by Vandepas et al. (2016) is a peer-reviewed article that provides detailed phylogeographic data on Nautilus pompilius, confirming its presence in various Indo-Pacific locations (Vandepas et al.). The NOAA report is also a reliable source, as it is a government agency that specializes in marine and atmospheric sciences, providing factual information about marine species and their habitats (NOAA).

Moreover, the Wikipedia entry, while generally reliable, should be cross-referenced with primary scientific literature for academic purposes. However, it aligns with the findings from the other sources, further validating the claim (Wikipedia).

The diversity of sources, including scientific studies and governmental reports, enhances the reliability of the information. Each source corroborates the existence of Nautilus species in the Indo-Pacific, and there is no significant counter-evidence presented in the available literature.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "Nautilus species are found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean" is true based on multiple credible sources that confirm the presence of these species in this region. The scientific literature and authoritative marine biology resources consistently support this assertion, indicating a well-established distribution of Nautilus in the Indo-Pacific.

Sources

1. A revisited phylogeography of Nautilus pompilius - PMC
2. Chambered Nautilus - NOAA
3. A Petition to list chambered nautilus
4. Nautilus - Wikipedia
5. Nautilus Facts: Habitat, Behavior, Diet - ThoughtCo
6. Distribution and Conservation Gaps of Nautilus pompilius
7. Nautilus - Description, Habitat, Image, Diet, and Interesting Facts
8. Chambered Nautilus - Australian Museum