An official website of the United States government
Maternal effects play a fundamental role in shaping early larval growth and survival in marine fishes. This study explores the relationship between maternal trophic ecology and larval growth in bluefin tunas, with a focus on Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) and an expanded dataset from multiple Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ABT) populations incorporated into the General Bluefin Model (GBM). Daily growth and stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) were obtained from 80 pre-flexion SBT larvae and 355 pre-flexion larvae from the GBM dataset. Results revealed a significant negative linear trend between larval age and δ15N values, consistent with the gradual attenuation of maternally inherited isotopic signatures during development. Faster growing larvae showed significantly lower δ15N and δ13C values, indicating that maternal trophic behaviour and prey sources critically influence larval growth potential. Maternal isotopic niche breadth, inferred from larval isotope data, was markedly narrower in groups with optimal larval growth, suggesting that specialized (stenophagous) maternal feeding strategies promote enhanced offspring performance. These patterns were observed consistently in two bluefin species across seven different populations, despite geographic and temporal variability, highlighting a robust ecological link between maternal foraging behaviour and larval development. From these findings, we introduce the hypothesis of an Optimal Maternal Feeding Isotopic Niche, representing a constrained isotopic range associated with increased larval growth and survival. This framework advances our understanding of the influence of maternal trophic ecology on offspring fitness and offers valuable insights for the conservation and management of highly migratory pelagic species with complex reproductive strategies.
more »
« less
Maternal Effects and Trophodynamics Drive Interannual Larval Growth Variability of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Gulf of Mexico
Two cohorts of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) larvae were sampled in 2017 and 2018 during the peak of spawning in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). We examined environmental variables, daily growth, otolith biometry and stable isotopes and found that the GOM18 cohort grew at faster rates, with larger and wider otoliths. Inter and intra-population analyses (deficient vs. optimal growth groups) were carried out for pre- and post-flexion developmental stages to determine maternal and trophodynamic influences on larval growth variability based on larval isotopic signatures, trophic niche sizes and their overlaps. For the pre-flexion stages in both years, the optimal growth groups had significantly lower δ15N, implying a direct relationship between growth potential and maternal inheritance. Optimal growth groups and stages for both years showed lower C:N ratios, reflecting a greater energy investment in growth. The results of this study illustrate the interannual transgenerational trophic plasticity of a spawning stock and its linkages to growth potential of their offsprings in the GOM.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 1851558
- PAR ID:
- 10517224
- Publisher / Repository:
- MDPI
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Animals
- Volume:
- 14
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 2076-2615
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1319
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Atlantic bluefin tuna larval growth trophic ecology isotopic signatures maternal effects trophic niches
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
We examined trophic ecology and its influence on larval growth variability for three scombrids, southern bluefin (Thunnus maccoyii, SBT), albacore (T. alalunga, ALB), and skipjack tunas (Katsuwonus pelamis, SKJ), that share a common spawning ground in the eastern Indian Ocean. We combined otolith-based ageing with bulk nitrogen and carbon stable isotope analysis (SIA) of individual larva. Significant interspecific differences in δ15N and δ13C indicate adaptive resource partitioning that allows these tunas to coexist during early ontogeny. Trophic position and isotopic niche were estimated with both frequentist and Bayesian approaches, enabling the evaluation of ontogenetic isotope shifts, niche overlap, and resource use in relation to growth. ALB grew fastest, had the highest trophic position, and the broadest isotopic niche. Optimally growing tuna larvae occupied the narrowest trophic niche and had lower trophic positions for all three species, supporting the hypothesis that strong trophic specialization supports better growth performance and that feeding on more efficient shorter food chains (e.g., microbial loop via appendicularians) can enhance larval fitness. Using lower C:N ratio as a proxy of larval condition found in optimal growing groups supports the broader hypothesis that growth potential is closely tied to energy allocation strategies during early ontogeny. A detailed understanding of how larval trophodynamics, niche breadth, and resource partitioning interact with growth and survival during these vulnerable stages is essential for ecosystem-based management, particularly in systems where growth rate modulates predation risk and competitive fitness.more » « less
-
null (Ed.)Abstract We investigated size-fractioned biomass, isotopes and grazing of mesozooplankton communities in the larval habitat of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) in the oceanic Gulf of Mexico (GoM) during the peak spawning month of May. Euphotic-zone biomass ranged from 101 to 513 mg C m−2 during the day and 216 to 798 mg C m−2 at night. Grazing varied from 0.1 to 1.0 mg Chla m−2 d−1, averaging 1–3% of phytoplankton Chla consumed d−1. Carnivorous taxa dominated the biomass of > 1-mm zooplankton (78% day; 60% night), while only 13% of smaller zooplankton were carnivores. δ15N enrichment between small and large sizes indicates a 0.5–0.6 trophic-step difference. Although characteristics of GoM zooplankton are generally similar to those of remote oligotrophic subtropical regions, zooplankton stocks in the ABT larval habitat are disproportionately high relative to primary production, compared with HOT and BATS averages. Growth-grazing balances for phytoplankton were resolved with a statistically insignificant residual, and trophic fluxes from local productivity were sufficient to satisfy C demand of suspension feeding mesozooplankton. While carnivore C demand was met by local processes in the central GoM, experiments closer to the coastal margin suggest the need for a lateral subsidy of zooplankton biomass to the oceanic region.more » « less
-
This study analyzed the growth patterns and survival of Southern bluefin tuna (SBT, Thunnus maccoyii) larvae collected during January–February 2022 in their only known spawning area in the eastern Indian Ocean (IO). Otolith microstructure was examined to characterize both population-level and intra-population growth (OPToptimal and DEF-deficient group), with special emphasis on the flexion process, as well as to provide insights into larval survival. SBT larvae began flexion at sizes and ages comparable to those reported in other bluefin tuna species. At the intra-population level, OPT larvae reached flexion earlier in a better physical condition, with greater length, weight, and body depth, likely increasing their chances of survival at later stages. The observed larval growth rates (0.38 mm d−1) exceeded that from a historical study in 1987 (0.33 mm d−1), likely due to a ~2 ◦C increase in sea surface temperature and shifts in prey availability. Larval survival appears to depend on a selective process based on growth, in which only a small proportion of individuals (<2 %) exhibited width increment in otoliths similar to those of surviving larvae, allowing for faster development and earlier access to larger prey. These findings highlight the need for expanded research on the early life stages of SBT, particularly in the context of ongoing ocean warming and climate change.more » « less
-
Abstract Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) (Thunnus thynnus) travel long distances to spawn in oligotrophic regions of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) which suggests these regions offer some unique benefit to offspring survival. To better understand how larval survival varies within the GoM a spatially explicit, Lagrangian, individual-based model was developed that simulates dispersal and mortality of ABT early life stages within realistic predator and prey fields during the spawning periods from 1993 to 2012. The model estimates that starvation is the largest cumulative source of mortality associated with an early critical period. However, elevated predation on older larvae is identified as the main factor limiting survival to late postflexion. As a result, first-feeding larvae have higher survival on the shelf where food is abundant, whereas older larvae have higher survival in the open ocean with fewer predators, making the shelf break an optimal spawning area. The modeling framework developed in this study explicitly simulates both physical and biological factors that impact larval survival and hence could be used to support ecosystem based management efforts for ABT under current and future climate conditions.more » « less
- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
-
Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091319
