Small fish eat smaller fish: A model of interaction strength in early life stages of two tuna species. Issue 3 (21st May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ottmann, Daniel; Reglero, Patricia; Alemany, Francisco; Alvarez‐Berastegui, Diego; Martín, Melissa; Fiksen, Øyvind
• Is Part Of: Limnology and oceanography letters. Volume 7:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 227
• Page End: 234
• Publication Date: 2022-05-21
• Subjects: Limnology -- Periodicals; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.46
• DOI: 10.1002/lol2.10241
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2378-2242

Abstract

Abstract: Fish larvae are rarely a major driver of fish mortality, but tunas can produce large batches of larvae that rapidly develop the capacity to kill other fish. We combine a model for the killing potential from Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) larvae on larval albacore (ALB) with field observations at a major spawning ground. Both species spawn from June to August, but BFT has a narrow spawning peak at the beginning of the season that results in priority effects. Our model shows that, following a recent stock recovery, BFT larvae have increased their killing pressure, leaving areas of up to 1000 km 2 with < 1% chance of ALB daily survival. Such increase in killing pressure suggests larval ALB has reduced chances to survive; yet in large areas with few BFT, other drivers of early survival prevail over BFT predation. This shows that strong predatory interactions can occur during larval stages in some fishes.