The present study uses stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon (δ15N and δ13C) as
trophic indicators for Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae (BFT) (6-10 mm SL) in the highly
contrasting environmental conditions of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and the Balearic
Sea (MED). The study analyzes ontogenetic changes in the food sources and trophic
levels (TL) of BFT larvae from each spawning habitat. The results discuss differences in
the ontogenic dietary shifts observed in the BFT larvae from the GOM and MED as well
as trophodynamic differences in relation to the microzooplanktonic baselines used for
estimating trophic enrichment. Significant trophic differences between the GOM and
MED larvae were observed in relation to δ15N signatures in favour of the MED larvae,
which may have important implications in their early life growth strategy.Versión de edito
