Unveiling the Relationship Between Sea Surface Hydrographic Patterns and Tuna Larval Distribution in the Central Mediterranean Sea
Open accessAbstract
Thunnus thynnus (Atlantic bluefin tuna, ABT) and other tuna species reproduce in the Mediterranean Sea during the summer period. Despite the Central Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Sicily in particular, being a key spawning site for many tuna species, little is known on the effects of oceanographic variability on their larval distribution in this area. The abundance and presence-absence of larval specimens for three tuna species (ABT, bullet tuna and albacore) were modeled in order to examine their relationships with environmental factors, by analysing historical in situ information collected during seven annual surveys (2010–2016). The results revealed that most tuna larvae for the three species were found in the easternmost part of the study area, south of Capo Passero. This area is characterized by a stable saline front and warmer nutrient-poor water, and it has different environmental conditions, compared with the surrounding areas. The models used to investigate the presence-absence and abundance of the three species showed that ABT was the most abundant, followed by bullet tuna and albacore. The presence and abundance data collected are comparable with those of other spawning areas in the Mediterranean. Regarding biological and physical parameters, the results suggest that temperature, salinity, and day of the year are the key factors for understanding the ecological mechanisms and geographical distribution of these species in this area. Temperature affects the presence of ABT larvae and salinity, which, with a physical barrier effect, is a key factor for the presence-absence of bullet and albacore and for albacore abundance.
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The Capo Passero area is characterized by a thermohaline front and warmer/saltier surface waters that favor the aggregation of larval stages of different fish species, including Tunas.
“In particular, the Capo Passero area, characterized by a thermohaline front and warmer/saltier surface waters favoring the aggregation of larval stages of different fish species, including Tunas [30,[56][57][58]”
From Environmental Conditions along Tuna Larval Dispersion: Insights on the Spawning Habitat and Impact on Their Development Stages (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
Observed patterns, such as the coastal attitude of Bullet or the different distributions depending on water temperature, correspond to what was verified by previous studies on the larval habitat.
“Some observed patterns, such as the coastal attitude of Bullet or the different distributions depending on water temperature, correspond to what was verified by previous studies on the larval habitat [30].”
From Environmental Conditions along Tuna Larval Dispersion: Insights on the Spawning Habitat and Impact on Their Development Stages (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
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- Authors
- Russo, S., Torri, M., Patti, B., Reglero, P., Álvarez-Berastegui, D., Cuttitta, A., & Sarà, G.
- Affiliations
- National Research Council (IT)
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía (ES)
- University of Palermo (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Russo, Stefania
- Torri, Marco
- Venue
- Frontiers in Marine Science
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2021-08-18
- Volume
- 8
- ISSN
- 2296-7745 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3195748240
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 4
- FWCI
- 0.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Marine Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Nova Science Publishers (Nova Science Publishers, Inc.) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- European Commission (2011-2013)
- Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca
- Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali
- Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico
- Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
- European Social Fund
- 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 larvae, Thunnus thynnus, bullet tuna, albacore tuna, larval distribution, spawning grounds, salinity front, ocean variability, larval abundance, presence and absence, Strait of Sicily, Central Mediterranean, water temperature
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