6533b870fe1ef96bd12d07dc

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Environmental Conditions along Tuna Larval Dispersion: Insights on the Spawning Habitat and Impact on Their Development Stages

Stefania RussoMarco TorriBernardo PattiMarianna MuscoTiziana MasulloMarilena Vita Di NataleGianluca SaràAngela Cuttitta

subject

Settore BIO/07 - Ecologiabackward trajectoriesLagrangian simulationichthyoplanktonGeography Planning and Developmentbackward trajectoriespawning habitatThunnus thynnuAquatic ScienceLagrangian simulationsBiochemistryAuxis rocheitunaMediterranean SeaThunnus thynnus<i>Thunnus thynnus</i>; <i>Auxis rochei</i>; <i>Thunnus alalunga</i>; ichthyoplankton; Mediterranean Sea; backward trajectories; Lagrangian simulations; spawning habitat; larval habitat; tunaThunnus alalungalarval habitatWater Science and Technology

description

Estimated larval backward trajectories of three Tuna species, namely, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus, Linnaeus, 1758), Bullet Tuna (Auxis Rochei, Risso, 1801) and Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga, Bonnaterre, 1788) in the central Mediterranean Sea, were used to characterize their spawning habitats, and to assess the impact of changes due to the major environmental parameters (i.e., sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration) on larval development during their advection by surface currents. We assumed that the environmental variability experienced by larvae along their paths may have influenced their development, also affecting their survival. Our results showed that the Tuna larvae underwent an accelerated growth in favorable environmental conditions, impacting on the notochord development. In addition, further updated information on spawning and larval retention habitats of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Bullet and Albacore Tunas in the central Mediterranean Sea were delivered.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2022-05-13Water
https://doi.org/10.3390/w14101568