Reproductive biology of female Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis from south-western North Pacific Ocean

Pacific bluefin is a highly valuable pelagic species that inhabits a broad range in the North Pacific Ocean. The reproductive biology, especially for the spawning aggregation in the south-western North Pacific Ocean, is not well understood. Thus, a total of 119 paired ovary specimens were collected from the Taiwanese longline fleet during the 1999 fishing season (late April through June) to gain a better understanding of important reproductivity-related stock parameters associated with this species. The following conclusions were made: (i) condition factor decreased from late May to early June; (ii) the sex ratio might be 1∶1 for spawners; (iii) the gonadosomatic index stayed at a relatively high level and markedly increased from late May to early June; (iv) histological examination of oocytes indicated that all specimens were sexually mature; (v) spawning activity appeared to start in May and peak in late May to early June; (vi) batch fecundity incre ased with fork length; and (vii) preliminary estimates of spawning frequency between batches ranged 2–4.5 days based on analysis of postovulatory follicles.     

热带中西太平洋海域黄鳍金枪鱼的摄食生物学特性

利用延绳钓作业方式,于2018年5月—2019年2月对热带中西太平洋海域(163°14'E—173°35'E,2°03'S—11°17'S)的黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)进行了取样.对取样的919尾黄鳍金枪鱼叉长进行了组成和性比分析,对其中的551尾进行了摄食生物学研究,并使用方差分析(ANOVA)...     

Sizes of adult bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis in different areas of the western Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACT:   The length frequencies of adult Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis caught near Japan, near Taiwan, in the tropical western Pacific Ocean, and in the South Pacific Ocean, were compared. The largest catches consisted of medium-sized adults (160–209 cm fork length) taken near Japan and large adults (≥210 cm) taken near Taiwan. Small adults (120–159 cm) were occasionally caught in the Sea of Japan. Small numbers of medium-sized and large adults were caught in the tropical western Pacific and the South Pacific. The length frequencies of the fish greater than 160 cm in length caught in different areas around Japan were similar to each other. As adult bluefin tuna grow older they spawn earlier, and their distribution, movements, and spawning areas change.     

南太平洋所罗门群岛海域黄鳍金枪鱼的渔业生物学特性

根据2010年8~10月,在南太平洋所罗门群岛海域延绳钓作业渔场所采集的黄鳍金枪鱼数据,对其渔业生物学特性进行了初步分析。结果表明,1）叉长为47.5~166.5 cm,平均叉长为112.7 cm,优势叉长为80.0~90.0 cm和100.0~140.0 cm（75.0%）;体重为2.0~72.0 kg,平均体重为26.5 kg,优势体重为5~10 kg和15~40 kg（68.6%）,雌、雄个体大小差异明显（ANOVA,P<0.01）;2）体重（RW）与叉长（FL）、纯重（DW）的关系分别为RW=1.159×10-5FL3.070和RW=1.118DW+0.684（不分性别）;3）雌、雄性比为1∶1.2。各叉长组性比变化显著（χ2=1 093.386,P<0.001）,叉长大于140 cm时,雄性个体占优势;4）性腺发育以Ⅱ期为主（50%）,初次性成熟叉长为113.4 cm。达到性成熟的个体中,34.0%的个体发育至Ⅴ期以上,说明调查期间为黄鳍金枪鱼繁殖期;5）空胃率高达51.6%,摄食种类主要为鱼类（67.5%）、头足类（18.0%）和甲壳类（14.5%）。不同叉长组的摄食等级存在显著变化（χ2=400.782,P<0.001）。     

Gustatory responses in Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel)

Gustatory neural responses of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel) to extracted compounds of prey organisms, such as amino acids, nucleotide‐related substances, organic acids and organic bases, were electrophysiologically recorded from the facial nerve supplying the anterior palate. Of the 17 amino acids tested, l ‐proline was the most potent amino acid at 10^?2 M, and its threshold was the lowest at around 10^?6 M. l ‐leucine, l ‐methionine, l ‐alanine, l ‐valine and l ‐isoleucine were also highly stimulatory at 10^?2 M; however, the other 11 amino acids examined were not as effective or were ineffective. Thus, the gustatory receptors for amino acids of the Pacific bluefin tuna show a narrowly tuned response profile. Among the seven nucleotide‐related substances tested, uridine‐5′‐monophosphate, inosine‐5′‐monophosphate and adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate were highly stimulatory, and their thresholds were 10^?4–10^?5 M. Inosine elicited a positive response at 10^?2 M but its response magnitude was not so high. Organic acids l ‐lactic and pyruvic acids were effective at 10^?2 M, but no response was elicited at 10^?3 M. Among organic bases, betaine was highly stimulatory, and its response magnitude at 10^?2 M is almost equal to that of l ‐proline at the same concentration. The threshold for betaine was determined to be at around 10^?5 M. Trimethylamine oxide and ammonium chloride were ineffective.     

Considerations of stock structure of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in the Indian Ocean based on fishery data

Yellowfin stock structure in the Indian Ocean was studied by using industrial tuna longline fishery data. Three types of test variables were used to detect stock structure, i.e., CPUE, age-specific CPUE, and coefficient of variation for size. Time-series data of test variables were compiled for six sub-areas that were arranged by dividing the whole region systematically along longitude lines every 20 degrees. Then time-series data were smoothed by moving averages, and regressed by simple models. Patterns of time-series trends were graphically and statistically compared to classify homogeneous sub-area groups. Two assumptions were (a) that homogeneous stocks exist longitudinally and overlap in adjacent waters, and (b) that test variables within homogeneous sub-area groups are equally affected, and hence patterns of the time-series trends are similar. After graphical screening for significant sub-area groups, analysis of covariance was applied to test homogeneity of regression parameters representing patterns of the time-series trends. By classifying homogeneous sub-area groups, stock structures were determined at the P <0.05 and P <0.50 levels. The P<0.50 level was recognized as a useful criterion for ‘weak’ test variables since masked or vague structures at the P <0.05 level were likely cleared at this level in many cases. Results of this study and past stock structure studies were reviewed and compared. It was concluded that there are two major and two minor stocks of yellowfin tuna. The two major stocks (the western and the eastern) are located at 40^o-90^oE and 70^o-130^oE respectively. The minor stocks are the far western and the far eastern stocks (the latter possibly being a part of the Pacific stock), which are located westward of 40^oE and eastward of 110^oE respectively. Neighboring stocks are intermingled in adjacent waters.     

Characterization and ontogenetic development of digestive enzymes in Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis larvae

The major digestive enzymes in Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis larvae were characterized, and the physiological characteristics of the enzymes during early ontogeny were clarified using biochemical and molecular approaches. The maximum activity of trypsin (Try), chymotrypsin (Ct) and amylase (Amy) was observed at pH 6–11, 8–11 and 6–9, respectively. Maximum activity of Try, Ct and Amy occurred at 50 °C, that of lipase (Lip) was at 60 °C and that of pepsin (Pep) was at 40–50 °C. These pH and thermal profiles were similar to those for other fish species but differed from those previously reported for adult bluefin tuna. Enzyme activity for all enzymes assayed was found to decrease at high temperatures (Try, Ct, Amy and Pep: 50 °C; Lip: 40 °C), which is similar to findings for other fish species with one marked exception—increased Try activity was observed at 40 °C. Lip activity appeared to be dependent on bile salts under our assay conditions, resulting in a significant increase in activity in the presence of bile salts. Ontogenetic changes in pancreatic digestive enzymes showed similar gene expression patterns to those of other fish species, whereas marked temporal increases in enzyme activities were observed at 10–12 days post hatching (dph), coinciding with previously reported timing of the development of the pyloric caeca in bluefin tuna larvae. However, complete development of digestive function was indicated by the high pep gene expression from 19 dph, which contradicts the profile of Pep activity and previously reported development timing of the gastric gland. These findings contribute to the general knowledge of bluefin tuna larval digestive system development.     

Testes maturation of reared Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis at two-plus years old

ABSTRACT:   Stable reproduction is essential for supplying artificially hatched fish to tuna aquaculture. We observed testes maturation in reared Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis at 2+ years of age. The incidence of males with mature testes was 25.0%, and 40% of the males had developing testes that contain spermatozoa, while oocytes of the same aged females were not mature. These fish were wild-caught at 0+ years old in August 1997 and the gonads were examined in October 1998 and January–February 2000. Therefore, the age at examination in 2000 was estimated to be 2 years and 7–10 months old considering the spawning season of the wild PBT and the size when captured. Histological examination of the matured and developing testes showed that they contained spermatozoa, spermatids, spermatocytes, and spermatogonia. All the spermatozoa were observed to be motile in sea water under light microscopy. From the results of this and previous studies, matured males are probably fertile for at least 5 months a year in Kushimoto. The testes maturation observed at young age in captivity is considered promising to reduce the cost of broodstock maintenance for the juvenile production of PBT, especially if the sperm are cryopreserved.     

Visual spectral sensitivity of photopic juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis)

Although Pacific bluefin tuna is a species that relies on vision, its photopic visual function is not well known; we therefore recorded electroretinograms to investigate photopic spectral sensitivity in juveniles of this species (49-81?days post-hatch; standard length 74-223?mm). The peak spectral sensitivity wavelength was 505?nm. We estimated that two (λ(max)?=?512-515?nm and 423-436?nm) or three (λ(max)?=?512-515?nm, 423-436?nm, and 473?nm) types of cone visual pigments contribute to photopic vision; these spectral sensitivities are adapted to surface water habitats in clear ocean and coastal water.     

Carrying capacity and survival strategy for the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, in the Western Pacific

The carrying capacity for the Pacific bluefin tuna at each life stage is estimated and its survival strategy is examined numerically, using a new method to define the hypothetical capacity, the standard population, and the search volumes that are necessary and are feasible for the tuna. The carrying capacity for the adult is estimated at 1–2 × 10⁶ individuals, which corresponds with 5–10% of the hypothetical capacity and is comparable with the maximum levels of the southern and the Atlantic bluefin tuna populations. It is hypothesized semiquantitatively that the migration at each life stage and the remarkable decrement of growth at 120 days and about 40 cm occur as an evolutionary response to population excess over the carrying capacity. It is also hypothesized semiquantitatively that the early larvae have minimal food available in the Subtropical Water and develop the predatory morphology, high growth rate, and high mobility, however, at the expense of a high mortality as an evolutionary response to the tuna spawning in the Subtropical Water. This method may be an available tool to not only investigate the carrying capacity and survival strategy of a specific fish species, but also predict when and in how much abundance the fish species occurs in a specific area of its habitat.     

应用贝叶斯生物量动态模型评估印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼资源

利用贝叶斯生物量动态模型对印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)资源进行了评估,并分析了不同标准化单位捕捞努力渔获量(catch per unit effort,CPUE)、内禀增长率(r)先验分布对评估结果的影响。结果表明:(1)模型能较好拟合日本延绳钓渔业的标准化CPUE,但对中国台湾延绳钓渔业的标准化CPUE拟合较差;当模型单独使用日本标准化CPUE时,评估结果显示印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼被过度捕捞;若模型单独使用中国台湾标准化CPUE,则结果相反,显示印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼未被过度捕捞;而当同时使用两个标准化CPUE时,日本标准化CPUE数据获得更大估计权重,因此,评估结果与单独使用日本标准化CPUE的结果类似。(2)当r采用无信息先验时,r估计偏小,而环境容纳量(K)估计则偏大,参数估计不合理;当r采用信息先验时,r与K的后验分布估计相对合理;由于r与K存在显著的负相关关系,生物量动态模型难于同时有效估计这两个参数,特别是在数据质量较差情况下,因而采用信息先验能提高生物量动态模型参数估计的质量。(3)本研究利用偏差信息准则(Deviance Information Criterion,DIC)与均方误差(Mean Square Error,MSE)统计量对模型进行了比较,并选择模型S8用于评价印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼的资源状态。评估结果认为印度洋黄鳍金枪鱼被过度捕捞,既存在捕捞型过度捕捞,也存在资源型过度捕捞,这与资源合成(Stock synthesis version 3,SS3)等模型的评价结果一致。     

Completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) life cycle

Tuna aquaculture is currently dependent on the wild capture of juveniles for production. The development of hatchery technology for bluefin and other tunas would be a major step forward in improving sustainability of their aquaculture. The present study overviews the technology in the life cycle completion of the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT) Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) under aquaculture conditions in Kinki University, and the problems to be solved for the establishment of tuna hatchery technology. On 23 June 2002, broodstock of PBT that were artificially hatched and reared spontaneously spawned in captivity. The resulting eggs hatched and were subsequently reared to the juvenile stage. The spawning fish were the result of a research project started in 1987 to rear wild‐caught juvenile PBT that were several months old. Fertilized eggs were obtained from these fish in 1995 and 1996. Resulting juveniles (the artificially hatched first generation) were reared to maturity and spawned in 2002. Over the summer of 2002, 1.63 million eggs from these fish were used for a mass rearing experiment, and 17 307 juveniles were produced and transferred to an open sea net cage. Of these artificially hatched second‐generation PBT, 1100 grew to approximately 95 cm total length and 14 kg body weight in 22 months. This procedure means the completion of PBT life cycle under aquaculture conditions, which was first attained among large tuna species. The problems awaiting solution in PBT hatchery production are their unpredictable spawning in captivity, to improve survival during the first 10 days post hatch, to reduce cannibalism in larval and juvenile stages, and to solve collision problem causing high mortality during the juvenile stage.     

Environmental associations of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) catch in the California Current system

We investigate the impact of oceanographic variability on Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis: PBF) distributions in the California Current system using remotely sensed environmental data, and fishery‐dependent data from multiple fisheries in a habitat‐modeling framework. We examined the effects of local oceanic conditions (sea surface temperature, surface chlorophyll, sea surface height, eddy kinetic energy), as well as large‐scale oceanographic phenomena, such as El Niño, on PBF availability to commercial and recreational fishing fleets. Results from generalized additive models showed that warmer temperatures of around 17–21°C with low surface chlorophyll concentrations (<0.5 mg/m³) increased probability of occurrence of PBF in the Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel and purse seine fisheries. These associations were particularly evident during a recent marine heatwave (the “Blob”). In contrast, PBF were most likely to be encountered on drift gillnet gear in somewhat cooler waters (13–18°C), with moderate chlorophyll concentrations (0.5–1.0 mg/m³). This discrepancy was likely a result of differing spatiotemporal distribution of fishing effort among fleets, as well as the different vertical depths fished by each gear, demonstrating the importance of understanding selectivity when building correlative habitat models. In the future, monitoring and understanding environmentally driven changes in the availability of PBF to commercial and recreational fisheries can contribute to the implementation of ecosystem approaches to fishery management.     

Changes in the scotopic vision of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) with growth

In cultured juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis), reducing the mass deaths caused by collision or contact with tank or net walls at night is a priority for seedling production. Pacific bluefin tuna is a visually dependant species, although its scotopic vision is poor. We recorded electroretinograms to investigate the visual function with growth in the dark-adapted eyes of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna. Peak wavelengths of spectral sensitivity [38–62 days posthatch (dph), 77–167 mm standard length (SL)] were observed between 474 and 494 nm. Visual light sensitivity has a tendency to increase slightly with growth at 28–64 dph in individuals that measured 29–175 mm SL. However, visual temporal resolution did not significantly increase with growth at 38–62 days dph in individuals that measured 77–167 mm SL. These results suggest that the mass death continues between 28 and 64 dph because of low visual function and increasing swimming speed with growth.     

Genetic population structure of the bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus in the central Pacific Ocean based on mtDNA Cytb sequences

Bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus is considered an important fishery species around the world. There is no adequate genetic data available for the T. obesus population. Polymorphism of sequence variations in mitochondrial Cytb genes were assessed to explore the level of genetic variability and differentiation among eight populations of T. obesus sampled from the central Pacific Ocean. Overall, a total of 44 mtDNA haplotypes and 26 variable sites were detected in the 686 bp segment of mtDNA Cytb gene. Nucleotide diversity ranged from 0.17 to 0.27 % and the haplotype diversity ranged from 0.604 to 0.793. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) test of bigeye tuna revealed that 99.38 % of the genetic variation occurred within populations. Both the maximum likelihood tree and the haplotype network indicated that two lineages of bigeye tuna coexisted in the central Pacific Ocean. Hierarchical AMOVA tests and pairwise analysis revealed no geographical isolation among haplotypes within the two lineages. High Nm values from this investigation indicated high rates of gene flow between the two sampling regions. Furthermore, tests of neutrality and mismatch distribution suggested that T. obesus might have experienced a population expansion, one that possibly occurred 110,000 years ago. Our study firstly unraveled the population genetic structure of the T. obesus in the central Pacific Ocean, and addressed the related fishery management issues including fishery stock identification, management, and conservation.     

印度洋中西部黄鳍金枪鱼生物学特性的初步研究

根据2003~2004年1~6月我国农业部印度洋金枪鱼延绳钓观察员项目所收集的有关数据,对印度洋中西部黄鳍金枪鱼的基本生物学特征进行了研究。结果表明,2003年和2004年渔获物中黄鳍金枪鱼加工后体重范围分别为7~81kg和20~78kg,优势组分别为20~50kg和30~60kg。叉长范围分别为70~180 cm和110~170 cm。2003年渔获物雌雄性比的平均值为0.71,月间性比组成差异较小;而2004年渔获雌雄性比的平均值为1.00,月间性比组成差异较大。2003年各月的摄食等级以1~2级为主,月间差异较小;而2004年摄食等级以1级为主,并且月间各等级组成差异大。体长与体重关系为W=2.1890×10-5L2.9269。     

Purification and characterization of glutathione peroxidase 1 in the red muscle of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis

Glutathione peroxidase GPx1 was purified from the red muscle of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis and its enzymatic properties were characterized. The enzyme was optimally active at pH 7.4 with a specific activity for hydrogen peroxide and a K _m of 6.7 μM. cDNA was also isolated and it contained a predicted open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 188 amino acid protein. The phylogenetic tree shows that fish including Pacific bluefin tuna, pufferfish, and zebrafish, but not mammals, possess two genetically distinct types of GPx1, i.e., GPx1a and GPx1b. The purified enzyme was classified as a fish GPx-1b enzyme on the basis of the phylogenetic tree of the GPx1 family.     

Retinal ganglion cell topography in juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck and Schlegel)

The retinal ganglion cell distribution, which is known to reflect fish feeding behavior, was investigated in juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis. During the course of examination, regularly arrayed cells with a distinctive larger soma, which may be regarded as motion-sensitive cells, were found. The topographical distribution of ordinary-sized ganglion cells, which is usually utilized to estimate fish visual axis and/or visual field characteristics, showed that the highest-density area, termed the area centralis, was localized in the ventral-temporal retina. The retinal topography of ordinary-sized ganglion cells seems to reflect the bluefin tuna’s foraging behavior; while cruising, cells in the area centralis may signal potential prey, such as small schooling pelagic fishes or squids, that are present in the upward-forward direction. Judging from morphological characteristics, the large ganglion cells localized in the small temporal retinal area seem to be equivalent to physiologically categorized off-center Y-cells of cat, which are stimulated by a transient dark spot in a bright visual field. It was inferred that presumed large off-center cells in the temporal retina detect movements of agile prey animals escaping from bluefin tuna as a silhouette against environmental light.     

The optimal dietary level of ascorbic acid for juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis

A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of, and determine the requirements for dietary AsA (l-ascorbic acid) using its popular derivative l-ascorbyl-2-monophosphate-Mg (APM) for juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT). The five test diets (with APM-0, -400, -800, -1200 and -1600) were prepared by adding 0, 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 mg of APM kg diet^?1, respectively. These diets, together with chopped sand lance (the control diet), were administered, in duplicate to 0.27 g PBT at 25 days after hatching (300 juveniles per 15 m³ tank). The PBT were fed to apparent satiety 6 times a day for 2 weeks. While final body weight, feed conversion and survival showed no differences among diets APM 400–1600, PBT fed APM-0 indicated lower growth performance together with anorexia, dark pigmentation and ataxia from 5 days and reached 80 % mortality at 12 days after the start of the feeding trial. In addition, liver and brain ascorbic acid (AsA) concentrations increased with increasing dietary APM levels, the values were similar in PBT fed diets with APM-1200 and APM-1600, and liver and brain concentrations of AsA were significantly higher in these fish than in the PBT fed the other diets (P < 0.05). The PBT responded to increasing dietary APM, and the fish fed APM-1200 had the highest weight gain, protein and lipid content. The data indicate that PBT can utilize APM as an AsA source and suggest that dietary supplementation with APM-1200 (454 mg AsA kg^?1 diet) would result in satisfactory growth.