PONE-D-24-29709Pelagic cnidarian assemblages show range-edge effect at the boundary of ocean surface, as illustrated in the case of the Amazon River PlumePLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Tosetto,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

The MS is valuable, well written and structured, reporting essential information regarding the abundance and distribution patterns of cnidarian assemblages in the neuston layer. There are only some minor concerns that should be fixed to make the paper fully published.

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Additional Editor Comments:

The MS of Tosetto et al. focused on the range-edge effect of cnidarian assemblage related to the ocean surface boundary. The paper covers enough aspects to interpret their findings, and their initial hypothesis rejected with the elaborated results. It is my opinion that the paper has a good structure, with a good amount of data coming from different sampling techniques. It requires only some minor adjustments to be suitoble for the publication.

Below just few specific comments.

Specific comments

Title:

The title is clear and well frames the performed study.

Abstract:

Abstract should summarize the performed study, presenting the importance of the study. In this case authors provide an exhaustive summary of the study performed and results obtained but it is missed the aim of the study, a possible ecological application of these findings.

Keywords:

Keywords are well sorted.

Introduction:

It is suggested to add a short insight related the zoology and morphology of the cnidarian groups, could be an addition information to better understand the ecologic role of these organisms. Ecology and data analysis aspects are fully explained with a good number of cited papers, well done.

Material and methods:

It is suggested to add some picture related to instruments used in order to better explain the sampling activity; studied area, species and relative abundance, software and all statistical tests are well explained.

Results:

Lines enumeration stop at 189 (pg. 8). In the “Responses to mesoscale processes and environmental gradient” section there are two statements related to bottom depth results, which is correct? Despite of these structure mistake, results are clearly presented and well organized considering the remarkable amount of data. Well done.

Discussion:

Results are good summarized and discussed in this section with a proper interpretation of study’s findings, also a coherent and updated bibliography is reported.

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The study conducted by Giachini Tosetto and colleagues focuses on the abundance and distribution patterns of cnidarian assemblages in the neuston layer, contributing valuable insights to marine ecology. The authors formulated clear hypotheses, providing well-supported results that challenge initial assumptions. The structure of manuscript follows a logical progression that is clearly explained from the introduction of the research questions to the presentation of results and their implications. From a scientific point of view, the focus on the interface between oceanographic and atmospheric processes is of high relevance, and the attention paid to the range-edge effects near the Amazon River Plume adds significant depth to our understanding of the spatial distribution of these communities. The fluent use of English and technical terms characterizes the text, as well as the clear and coincise language that makes the findings accessible to readers without oversimplifying the complex processes described. The discussion is well grounded in the results, especially regarding the suggested location of the community core in deeper hypoxic waters, which is an interesting conclusion. I would just like to suggest replacing Nausithoe aurea Silveira & Morandini, 1997 with the accepted name Nausithoe maculata Jarms, 1990 (according to the World Register of Marine Species - WoRMS).

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Reviewer #1: No

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Pelagic cnidarian assemblages show range-edge effect at the boundary of ocean surface, as illustrated in the case of the Amazon River Plume

PONE-D-24-29709R1

Dear Dr. Tosetto,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Claudio D'Iglio, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE