Summary
This integrated morphological and molecular study examined the diet composition and feeding habits of larval Pacific bluefin tuna in the Sea of Japan across five summers (2011–2015). By combining traditional microscopic analysis with metagenetic methods on multiple specimens, the research provides empirical characterisation of prey selection and feeding ecology during a critical early life stage. The findings contribute to understanding larval PBT nutritional ecology in a key recruitment region.
UK applicability
This study has limited direct applicability to UK farming or food systems, as it addresses wild-capture fisheries ecology of a pelagic species in Japanese waters rather than domesticated agriculture or aquaculture operations.
Key measures
Prey species identification via microscopy and DNA metabarcoding; diet composition proportions; feeding behaviour patterns in larval stage
Outcomes reported
The study characterised diet composition and feeding habits of larval Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) in the Sea of Japan using morphological and metagenetic analysis of stomach contents from 149 and 120 specimens respectively collected during 2011–2015.
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