Evidence of density-dependent cannibalism in the diet of wild Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae (Thunnus thynnus) of the Balearic Sea (NW-Mediterranean)

Uriarte, Amaya; Johnstone, Carolina; Laiz‐Carrión, Raúl; García, A.; Llopiz, Joel K.; Shiroza, Akihiro; Quintanilla, José María Suárez; Lozano-Peral, Diego; Reglero, Patricia; Alemany, Francisco

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2018.12.013

Cited by 23 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…The lack of overlap between A. rochei and T. thynnus suggests a higher trophic segregation. Diet data corroborate these differences, as A. rochei is primarily a consumer of appendicularians while T. thynnus has a mixed diet and attains piscivory at greater postflexion lengths (Llopiz et al 2010), having shown a density-dependent cannibalistic behavior in the Mediterranean Sea (Uriarte et al 2018(Uriarte et al , 2019.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Feeding ecology of larval tunas using stomach contents has been described globally (Llopiz & Hobday 2015) and along the Straits of Florida (Llopiz et al 2010). Larval feeding for T. thynnus has been examined in the Mediterranean Sea (Catalán et al 2011, Uriarte et al 2018, 2019 and in the GOM , Tilley et al 2016, showing a predominant diet of copepods, copepod nauplii, appendicularians, and cladocerans, whereas other tuna larvae such as Auxis spp. and K. pelamis show a preference for appendicularians (Llopiz et al 2010, Llopiz & Hobday 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There have been some significant advances in the understanding of larval tuna ecology, though these studies mostly focused on T. thynnus (bluefin tuna, BFT) (Muhling et al 2017). Uriarte et al (2018Uriarte et al ( , 2019 reported cannibalistic feeding behavior in the Mediterranean, Tilley et al (2016) reported on feeding ecology in central GOM, and Domingues et al (2016) reported on the varia bility of preferred environmental conditions in the GOM over time. Even with these advances, there still is limited knowledge of the trophic hierarchy and food web connections of larval tuna species in the offshore marine ecosystems of the Atlantic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable isotope analysis indicates resource partitioning and trophic niche overlap in larvae of four tuna species in the Gulf of Mexico

Laiz‐Carrión¹,

Gerard²,

Suca³

et al. 2019

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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In this study we assessed the trophic ecology of bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus larvae from the Gulf of Mexico, together with the co-occurring larvae of blackfin tuna T. atlanticus, bullet tuna Auxis rochei, and skipjack Katsuwonus pelamis, using both bulk-tissue stable isotope analysis (SIA bulk) and compound-specific analysis of amino acids (CSIA AA). Bulk nitrogen (δ 15 N bulk) and carbon (δ 13 C bulk) values differed significantly among species, suggesting partitioning of resources due to an adaptive process allowing these tunas to share the ecosystem's trophic resources during this early life period. K. pelamis had the largest isotopic niche width, likely due to piscivorous feeding at an earlier age compared to the other species, with an isotopic niche overlap of 17.5% with T. thynnus, 15.8% with T. atlanticus, and 31.2% with A. rochei. This trophic overlap suggests a mix of competition and trophic differentiation among these 4 species of tuna larvae. Higher nitrogen isotopic signatures in preflexion versus postflexion larvae of T. thynnus measured using both SIA bulk and CSIA AA indicate maternal isotopic transmission, as well as 'capital breeder'-like characteristics. In contrast, the nitrogen isotopic ratios of the other 3 species were similar between ontogenetic stages. These observations suggest different breeding strategies within the study area for T. atlanticus, K. pelamis, and A. rochei compared to T. thynnus. No significant differences were observed among the 4 species' trophic positions (TPs) estimated by CSIA AA , whereas a higher TP was observed for T. thynnus by SIA bulk. These differences in TP estimation may be attributed to discrepancies in baseline estimates.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable isotope analysis indicates resource partitioning and trophic niche overlap in larvae of four tuna species in the Gulf of Mexico

Laiz‐Carrión¹,

Gerard²,

Suca³

et al. 2019

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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show abstract

“…The onset of piscivory in larval tuna is closely timed with the transition from flexion to postflexion stage (~2 weeks post hatch)(Llopiz and Hobday, 2015; Blanco et al , 2019; Uriarte et al , 2019; Laiz-Carrión et al , 2019). Individuals are tracked for three weeks, fully encompassing the period when larval ABT are obligate planktivores.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Upon yolk sack absorption, larvae depend entirely on zooplankton (e.g., ciliates and copepod nauplii) ranging in size from ~100–400 μm to meet their metabolic requirements (Llopiz et al , 2015; Tilley et al , 2016; Shiroza et al, this issue). Soon after larvae switch to feeding primarily on mesozooplankton and become increasingly piscivorous at 6-8 mm (Llopiz and Hobday, 2015; Llopiz et al , 2015; Uriarte et al , 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade-offs between risks of predation and starvation in larvae make the shelf break an optimal spawning location for Atlantic Bluefin tuna

Shropshire¹,

Morey

Chassignet

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Atlantic Bluefin tuna (ABT) (Thunnus thynnus) travel long distances to spawn in oligotrophic regions of the Gulf of Mexico. To estimate regional larval ABT mortality, we developed a spatially-explicit, Lagrangian, individual-based model that simulates dispersal, growth, and mortality within realistic predator and prey fields during the spawning periods from 1993 to 2012. Modelled larval ABT experience high mortality in the first week of feeding with an average mortality rate of 0.53 ± 0.26 d-1 prior to postflexion. Survival ranged from 0.12% to 0.32% suggesting that recruitment may vary by a factor of 2.7 due to early life stage mortality alone. Starvation is the dominant source of mortality driven by the early critical period; however, survival is ultimately limited by predation on older individuals. As a result, first-feeding larvae survive better in the more food-rich areas on the shelf, while larger larvae survive better in the open ocean with fewer predators, making the shelf break an optimal spawning area. Our findings support the hypothesis that ABT spawn in oligotrophic regions to minimize predation on their larvae. Ocean modeling tools presented in this study may help facilitate an ecosystem-based management approach to improve future stock assessment models by better resolving the stock-recruitment relationship.

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Spawning site distribution of a bluefin tuna reduces jellyfish predation on early life stages

Ottmann

Fiksen

Martín

et al. 2021

Limnology & Oceanography

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Bluefin tunas across the world migrate long distances to spawn in particularly warm and oligotrophic areas constrained by oceanographic fronts. The low abundance of predators in these areas increases survival chances of their early life stages, but its importance for choice of spawning habitat is unknown. Here, we use estimated clearance rates and data on spatial distributions of Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae Thunnus thynnus and metaephyrae of the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca to quantify predation at a major spawning ground in the Mediterranean Sea. We found that high densities of P. noctiluca can rapidly deplete tuna eggs and preflexion larvae, but their patchy distribution and low spatial and temporal overlap results in overall low predation. The specific distribution of the spawning sites suggests that bluefin tunas may use local oceanography as cues to spawn outside areas with high predator densities.

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Evidence of density-dependent cannibalism in the diet of wild Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae (Thunnus thynnus) of the Balearic Sea (NW-Mediterranean)

Cited by 23 publications

References 42 publications

Stable isotope analysis indicates resource partitioning and trophic niche overlap in larvae of four tuna species in the Gulf of Mexico

Stable isotope analysis indicates resource partitioning and trophic niche overlap in larvae of four tuna species in the Gulf of Mexico

Trade-offs between risks of predation and starvation in larvae make the shelf break an optimal spawning location for Atlantic Bluefin tuna

Spawning site distribution of a bluefin tuna reduces jellyfish predation on early life stages

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