New study reveals complex genetic structures in tuna

Tunas are becoming increasingly important for fisheries and the international seafood trade, making precise knowledge of their population structure vital for a sustainable management. The two scombrid species wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide and are under increasing fishing pressure due to their significant economic value, despite their ecology being relatively understudied. In the recently published study, the genomes of numerous individuals of both species from the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans were thoroughly analyzed for the first time. The results indicate a more complex genetic diversity among stocks than previously assumed and emphasize the importance of high-resolution genetic markers to better trace the geographical origins of tuna products.

Publication Link:

P. Weist, H. Kusche, OK Tørresen, M. Hermida, EP Lopes, S. Jentoft, R. Hanel (2014) Genomic differentiation and interoceanic population structure of two large pelagic scombrid species, Global Ecology and Conservation, 54:e03117.