Biogeography of tuna and billfish communities
Open accessAbstract
Aim The aims of this study were: (1) to identify global communities of tuna and billfish species through quantitative statistical analyses of global fisheries data; (2) to describe the spatial distribution, main environmental drivers and species composition of each community detected; and (3) to determine whether the spatial distribution of each community could be linked to the environmental conditions that affect lower trophic levels by comparing the partitions identified in this study with Longhurst’s biogeochemical provinces. Location The global ocean from 60° S to 65° N. Methods We implemented a new numerical procedure based on a hierarchical clustering method and a nonparametric probabilistic test to divide the oceanic biosphere into biomes and ecoregions. This procedure was applied to a database that comprised standardized data on commercial longline catches for 15 different species of tuna and billfish over a period of more than 50 years (i.e. 1953–2007). For each ecoregion identified (i.e. characteristic tuna and billfish community), we analysed the relationships between species composition and environmental factors. Finally, we compared the biogeochemical provinces of Longhurst with the ecoregions that we identified. Results Tuna and billfish species form nine well‐defined communities across the global ocean. Each community occurs in regions with specific environmental conditions and shows a distinctive species composition. High similarity (68.8% homogeneity) between the spatial distribution of the communities of tuna and billfish and the biogeochemical provinces suggests a strong relationship between these species and the physical and chemical characteristics of the global ocean. Main conclusions Despite their high tolerance for a wide range of environmental conditions, these highly migratory species are partitioned into clear geographical communities in the ocean at a global scale. The similarity between biogeochemical and biotic divisions in the ocean suggests that the global ocean is a mosaic of large biogeographical ecosystems, each characterized by specific environmental conditions that have a strong effect on the composition of the trophic web.
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There are few studies where the habitat preferences of a group of species are analysed using similar datasets and methods at broad spatial scales.
“In fact, there are few studies where the habitat preferences of a group of species are analysed using similar datasets and methods at broad spatial scales (but see Reygondeau et al. 2012).”
From Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna (2015) · cites this paper as Reygondeau et al. 2012
Salinity can influence large-scale spatial distribution of tunas.
“Salinity can influence large scale spatial distribution (e.g.Fromentin et al., 2014;Maury et al., 2001;Reygondeau et al., 2012).”
From Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna (2015) · cites this paper as Reygondeau et al., 2012
Reygondeau et al. (2012) proposed a conceptual scheme where yellowfin, bigeye, albacore and bluefin species dominated different ecoregions as latitude increased.
“Reygondeau et al. (2012) proposed a conceptual scheme where yellowfin, bigeye, albacore and bluefin species dominated different ecoregions as latitude increased.”
From Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna (2015) · cites this paper as Reygondeau et al. (2012)
Extensive longline datasets with broad spatio-temporal coverage have supported a number of studies on tuna distribution and habitat preferences.
“In fact, extensive longline datasets with broad spatio-temporal coverage have supported a number of studies in relation to tuna distribution and habitat preferences (e.g.Fromentin et al., 2014;Reygondeau et al., 2012;Worm and Tittensor, 2011).”
From Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna (2015) · cites this paper as Reygondeau et al., 2012
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Global habitat preferences of commercially valuable tuna
Arrizabalaga, H., Dufour, F., Kell, L., Merino, G., Ibaibarriaga, L., Chust, G., Irigoien, X., Santiago, J., Murua, H., Fraile, I., et al. (2015) · Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography · doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2014.07.001 · Cited by 194 · see citing works
Large-scale distribution of tuna species in a warming ocean
Erauskin‐Extramiana, M., Arrizabalaga, H., Hobday, A. J., Cabré, A., Ibaibarriaga, L., Arregui, I., Murua, H., & Chust, G. (2019) · Global Change Biology · doi:10.1111/gcb.14630 · Cited by 176 · see citing works
Bioenergetics, Trophic Ecology, and Niche Separation of Tunas
(2016) · Advances in Marine Biology · doi:10.1016/bs.amb.2016.06.002 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Todorović, S., Juan-Jordá, M. J., Arrizabalaga, H., & Murua, H. (2019) · Marine Policy · doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2019.103700 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
- Authors
- Reygondeau, G., Maury, O., Beaugrand, G., Fromentin, J. M., Fonteneau, A., & Cury, P.
- Affiliations
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- Ifremer (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Reygondeau, Gabriel
- Venue
- Journal of Biogeography
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-08-11
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 114-129
- ISSN
- 0305-0270 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2699
- OpenAlex
- W1637132394
- Cited by
- 100
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 4.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Biogeography (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Institutional Archive of Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Keywords
- tuna, billfish, biogeography, species composition, environmental drivers, spatial distribution, highly migratory species, food webs, hierarchical clustering
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