Movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in waters surrounding the R evillagigedo I slands A rchipelago B iosphere R eserve, M exico

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) exhibit strong fidelity to the Revillagigedo Islands Archipelago Biosphere Reserve (RIABR), Mexico, with restricted movements and low dispersion. Analysis of 16,578 days of archival tag data from 52 yellowfin tuna revealed distinct behavioral patterns linked to age, including significant differences in diving behaviors and vertical habitat utilization between day and night. The study used an unscented Kalman filter model integrated with sea-surface temperature measurements (UKFsst) to refine geographic positions and movement parameters, showing median errors of 0.46° longitude and 1.84° latitude for directed movements. These findings suggest that the oceanographic conditions surrounding the RIABR profoundly influence tuna behavior and habitat use.

Schaefer, K. M., Fuller, D. W., & Aldana, G. (2013). Movements, behavior, and habitat utilization of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in waters surrounding the Revillagigedo Islands Archipelago Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Fisheries Oceanography, 23(1), 65–82. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12047