The Physiological Ecology of Tunas

The Physiological Ecology of Tunas documents the proceedings of the Tuna Physiology Workshop held at the National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Center at La JoDa, California, January 10-15, 1977. The contributions made by researchers at the workshop are organized into seven chapters. The first chapter includes studies on the morphological diversity and muscle-tissue-specific enzymatic attributes of scombrids. Papers in the second chapter deal with the integrated aspects of tuna behavior and capabilities that result from their complex cardiovascular system. The third chapter contains studies on skipjack tuna white muscle and the locomotor muscles of Scomber and Katsuwonus. The fourth chapter focuses on the thermal biology of tunas while the fifth chapter examines the hydromechanics of tuna propulsion. The sixth chapter provides information on energetic costs of tunas, and observations on physiological demands and correlates. It culminates with a conceptual model for the complex life cycle of the extant "ultimate tuna," the Atlantic bluefin tuna. The seventh chapter discusses applications of tuna physiology studies.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Foreword
Preface
Color Plates
Chapter 1 The Tunas
I. Introduction
II. Adaptations and Systematics of the Mackerels and Tunas
III. The Distribution of Red and White Swimming Muscles, Their Biochemistry, and the Biochemical Phylogeny of Selected Scombrid Fishes
Chapter 2 The Cardiovascular and Respiratory System
I. Introduction
II. Ram Gill Ventilation in Fish
III. Functional Cardiac Morphology and Biochemistry in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
IV. Comparative Morphology of the Central Heat Exchangers in the Skipjacks Katsuwonus and Euthynnus
V. Estimates of Blood Volume in the Albacore Tuna
VI. Activity of Albacore Serum Complement Reflects Its Thermoregulatory Capacity
Chapter 3 The Intermediary Metabolism, Biochemistry, and Swimming Muscle Ultrastructure of Tunas
I. The Tuna Power Plant and Furnace
II. Skipjack Tuna White Muscle: A Blueprint for the Integration of Aerobic and Anaerobic Carbohydrate Metabolism
III. Myotomal Muscle Fiber Types in Scomber and Katsuwonus
Chapter 4 Thermal Biology of the Tunas
I. A Historical Introduction to the Study of Warm-Bodied Tuna
II. The Relation between Heat Generation, Conservation, and the Swimming Energetics of Tunas
III. Correlations between Environment, Physiology, and Activity and the Effects on Thermoregulation in Skipjack Tuna
IV. Body Surface and Gill Heat Loss Rates in Restrained Skipjack Tuna
V. Temperature Effects on Speeds of Muscle Contraction and Stasis Metabolic Rate
Chapter 5 Hydrodynamics and Hydromechanics
I. Introduction
II. Estimation of Minimum Sustained Speed and Associated Body Drag of Scombrids
III. A Comparative Mechanophysiological Study of Fish Locomotion with Implications for Tuna-Like Swimming Mode
Chapter 6 The Energetics of Tunas
I. Introduction
II. Fat Deposition and Utilization in Albacore
III. Bioenergetic Spectra of Skipjack and Yellowfin Tunas
IV. Preliminary Models of Annual Life History Cycles of the North Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Chapter 7 The Practical Application of Tuna Physiology Studies
I. Behavioral and Physiological Properties of Tuna and Their Effects on Vulnerability to Fishing Gear
II. Perspectives: The Past, Present, and Future of Tuna Physiology
References