Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, ABFT) is a highly important fish species commercially and ecologically; however, the physiological responses of its larvae to environmental fluctuations remain largely unknown. The larval stage is characterized by fast development and growth, which should be fueled by high predatory action. As climate change progresses, marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in the Mediterranean Sea, which is an important spawning and nursery site for ABFT larvae. High temperatures and correlated low prey availability may threaten larval development. This study sought to investigate the impact of temperature and food availability on the vital rates- survival, growth, and metabolism- of ABFT larvae. High temperature increased larval growth, but a combination of high temperature and low food intake decreased it, likely due to caloric deficiencies. There were no significant differences in survival or metabolic rate between treatments. This is the first estimation of Q10 of ABFT larvae (1.07 at ad libitum feeding), and proposes a theory of metabolic resilience. Understanding the increased sensitivity during interactions among environmental stressors is essential for creating accurate models of the health of ABFT stocks in a persisting global climate change scenario.
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