We are investigating the historical ecology of Atlantic bluefin tuna by comparing the morphology and biomolecular composition of archaeological, archived and modern fish remains from the last two milennia. This work forms part of the SeaChanges ITN network and the PhD thesis of myself, Adam J. Andrews, and the masters thesis of Emma Falkeid Eriksen. The motivation for the work was laid out in our ICES Journal of Marine Science review paper, featured as Editors Choice here.

We studied three eco-evolutionary indicators of exploitation: 1) Size and growth, 2) diet and habitat use, and 3) demography and adaptation, conducting the work between BiGeA – University of Bologna, CEES – University of Oslo, and BioArCh – University of York. Our aim was to better understand drivers of population dynamics.

Find two of our publications below and keep tuna’d for new additions in the coming months. Alternatively, find me on Research Gate and Google Scholar for a full publication profile. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or on Twitter.

Best fishes!

Eriksen, E.F. et al. 2024. Five millennia of mitochondrial introgression in Atlantic bluefin tuna identified using ancient DNA. Bioxiv Pre-print.

Andrews, A.J. et al. 2023. Unlocking ecological history using fish remains: Eco-evolutionary consequences of exploitation in the Atlantic bluefin tuna. PhD Dissertation thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna.

Andrews, A.J. et al. 2023. Exploitation shifted trophic ecology and habitat preferences of Mediterranen and Black Sea bluefin tuna over centuries. Fish and Fisheries

Andrews, A.J. et al. 2023. Vertebrae reveal industrial-era increases in Atlantic bluefin tuna size and growth. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 

Andrews, A.J. et al. 2021. Ancient DNA SNP-Panel data suggests stability in bluefin tuna genetic diversity despite centuries of fluctuating catches in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Scientific Reports.