Project Aims
Large pelagic fish (e.g. tunas; Thunnini, Scombridae) dominate marine ecosystems since they are top predators of the epipelagic zones in tropical and subtropical seas. Spatial and temporal changes of bio-ecological traits and biodiversity in the epipelagic faunas may determine significant changes in several ecosystems at multiple levels.
General aim of the research project is to define geographic and historical patterns of interspecific (species) and intraspecific (genetic) diversity in tuna species within the Mediterranean. Such patterns could be related to spatial (geographic) and temporal (historical) changes that Mediterranean tuna populations have experienced according to the variation of environmental and ecological factors, including anthropogenic causes (e.g. fishery overexploitation).
