Most benthic invertebrates broadcast their gametes into the sea, whereupon successful
fertilization relies on the complex interaction between the physics of the surrounding fluid
flow and the biological properties and behavior of eggs and sperm. We present a holistic
overview of the impact of instantaneous flow processes on fertilization across a range of
scales. At large scales, transport and stirring by the flow control the distribution of gametes.
Although mean dilution of gametes by turbulence is deleterious to fertilization, a variety of …