Inclusion of prey data improves prediction of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) distribution
Open accessAbstract
We examined the distribution of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in the Gulf of Maine, Northwest Atlantic Ocean, from 17 to 23 August 1995, in relation to physical and biological parameters. Specifically, we fit a binomial GLM to the bluefin tuna presence–absence data and predictor variables that include: sea surface temperature (SST), ocean depth, distance to an SST front, time‐lagged density of SST fronts, and an interpolated surface of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) density. In addition, we use simple and partial Mantel tests to examine whether bluefin tuna presence–absence data are significantly associated with these predictors, once spatial autocorrelation is accounted for. Results suggest that the distribution of bluefin tuna significantly correlated with herring density (z = 3.525, P = 0.000424), and that inclusion of biological variables results in a more parsimonious model. Mantel tests results indicate that bluefin tuna abundance is significantly correlated with herring density after the effect of spatial structure is removed (Mantel r = 0.043, P < 0.019).
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The distribution of prey is one of the main drivers of the spatial distribution and behaviour of tunas.
“In addition to the physical environment, the distribution of prey is also one of the main drivers of the spatial distribution and behaviour of tunas (Bertignac et al., 1998;Schick and Lutcavage, 2009, tunas, but data on tuna prey distribution and abundance is scarce and is mostly available from models (Lehodey et al., 1998).”
From Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna (2015) · cites this paper as Schick and Lutcavage, 2009
The Results report a significant association between herring density and bluefin tuna presence, and the Discussion says prey distribution predicted bluefin presence better than SST fronts. The study covers a one-week snapshot in the Gulf of Maine; it does not establish prey distribution as a main driver of behaviour or of tuna distribution generally. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredTrophic resources play a major role in the spatial distribution of tunas.
“trophic resources must play a major role in the spatial distribution of tunas, as suggested by several relatively small scale studies (Bestley et al., 2009;Lezama et al., 2010;Schick and Lutcavage, 2009) and the fact that tunas conduct, as part of their life cycles, extensive trophic migrations to exploit seasonally productive areas (e.g.Dufour et al. 2010, Fonteneau et al., 2008).”
From Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna (2015) · cites this paper as Schick and Lutcavage, 2009
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- Authors
- SCHICK, R. S., & LUTCAVAGE, M. E.
- Affiliations
- NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (US)
- University of New Hampshire (US)
- Corresponding author
- SCHICK, R. S.
- ORCID
- SCHICK, R. S.
- Venue
- Fisheries Oceanography
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2009-01
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 77-81
- ISSN
- 1054-6006 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2419
- OpenAlex
- W2080119653
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 3
- FWCI
- 1.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Fisheries Oceanography (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Fogarty International Center
- National Marine Fisheries Service
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Keywords
- Thunnus thynnus, species distribution, prey density, herring, sea surface temperature fronts, sea surface temperature, ocean depth, spatial autocorrelation, Gulf of Maine, predator-prey interactions
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