TUNA RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION CENTER
Hopkins Marine Station - Monterey Bay Aquarium




Publications from the Tuna Center Research Team:

Journal Articles

Teo, S.L.H., Boustany, A, Dewar, H., Stokesbury, M.J.W., Weng, K.C., Beemer, S., Seitz, A.C., Farwell, C.J., Prince, E.D., Block, B.A. Annual migrations, diving behavior, and thermal biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, on their Gulf of Mexico breeding grounds. Marine Biology (2007) 151:1-18. Link to PDF.

Stokesbury, M. J. W., Harvey-Clark, C., Gallant, J., Block, B. A. & Myers, R. A.
Movement and environmental preferences of Greenland Sharks ( Somniosus microcephalus) electronically tagged in the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada.
Marine Biology (2005) 148: 159–165. Link to PDF

Weng, K.C., Castilho, P.C., Morrissette, J.M., Landeira, A., Schallert, R.J., Holts, D.B., Goldman, K.J., & Block, B.A. Satellite Tagging and Cardiac Physiology Reveal Niche Expansion in Salmon Sharks. Science 310:104-106 (2005). Link to PDF

Block et al. 2005. Nature 434: 1121-1127. Electronic tagging and population structure of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Link to PDF

Stokesbury, M. J. W., Teo, S. L. H., Seitz, A., O’Dor, R. K. and B. A. Block.2004. Movement of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) as determined by satellite tagging experiments initiated off New England. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 61: 1976-1987. Link to PDF

Teo, S. L. H., Blackwell, S., Boustany, A., Walli, A., Weng, K. and B.A. Block. Validation of geolocation estimates based on light level and sea surface temperature from electronic tags. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 283, 81-98 (2004). Link to PDF

Ana M. Landeira-Fernandez, Jeffery M. Morrissette, Jason M. Blank, and Barbara A. Block. 2004. Temperature dependence of the Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA2) in the ventricles of tuna and mackerel. American J. Physiology 286: R398ÐR404, 2004. Link to PDF

Holly A. Shiels, Jason M. Blank, Anthony P. Farrell, and Barbara A. Block. 2004. Electrophysiological properties of the L-type Ca2+ current in cardiomyocytes from bluefin tuna and Pacific mackerel. American J. Physiology 286: R659ÐR668, 2004. Link to PDF

Jason M. Blank, Jeffery M. Morrissette, Ana M. Landeira-Fernandez, Susanna B. Blackwell, Thomas D. Williams and Barbara A. Block. 2004. In situ cardiac performance of Pacific bluefin tuna hearts in response to acute temperature change. J. Experimental Biology 207: 881-890. Link to PDF

Weng, K., and B. Block. 2004. Diel vertical migration of the bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), a species possessing orbital retia mirabilia. Fishery Bulletin 102:221-229. Link to PDF

Jeffery M. Morrissette, Jens P. G. Franck, and Barbara A. Block. 2003. Characterization of ryanodine receptor and Ca2+-ATPase isoforms in the thermogenic heater organ of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). J. Experimental Biology 206: 805-812. Link to PDF

Carol A. Reeb, Loretta Archangeli and Barbara A. Block. 2003. Development of 11 microsatellite loci for population studies in the swordfish, Xiphias gladius (Teleostei : Scombridae). Molecular Ecology Notes 3: 147-149. Link to PDF

Andre M. Boustany, Scott F. Davis, Peter Pyle, Scot D. Anderson, Burney J. Le Boeuf, Barbara A. Block, 2002 Satellite tagging - Expanded niche for white sharks. Nature 415: 35-36. Link to PDF

Jason M. Blank, Jefferey M. Morrissette, Peter S. Davie, and Barbara A. Block. 2002. Effects of temperature, epinephrine and Ca on the hearts of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). J. Experimental Biology 205: 1881-1888. Link to PDF

Andy C. Seitz, Kevin C. Weng, Andre M. Boustany and Barbara A. Block. 2002. Behavior of a sharptail mola in the Gulf of Mexico. J. Fish Biology 60: 1597-1602.

Barbara A. Block, Dan P. Costa, George W. Boehlert, Randy E. Kochevar. 2002. Revealing pelagic habitat use: the tagging of Pacific pelagics program. Oceanologica Acta 25:255-266. Link to PDF

Barbara A. Block, Heidi Dewar, Susanna B. Blackwell, Thomas D. Williams, Eric D. Prince, Charles J. Farwell, Andre Boustany, Steven L. H. Teo, Andrew Seitz, Andreas Walli, Douglas Fudge 2001 Migratory movements, depth preferences, and thermal biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Science 293: 1310-1314. Link to PDF

Marcinek, D., Blackwell, S., Dewar, H., Freund, E., Farwell, C., Dau, D. and Seitz, A. 2001. Depth and muscle temperature of Pacific bluefin tuna examined with acoustic and pop-up satellite archival tags. Marine Biology 138: 869-885. Link to PDF

Marcinek, D., Bonaventura, J., Wittenberg, B. and Block, B.A. Oxygen affinity and amino acid sequence of myoglobins from endothermic and ectothermic fish. American J. Physiology 280: R1123-1133. Link to PDF

Ellerby, D. J., Altringham, J.D., Williams, T. and Block, B.A. 2000. Slow muscle function of Pacific Bonito during steady swimming. J. Experimental Biology 203: 2001-2013. Link to PDF

Londraville, R. L., Franck, J.P.C. and Block, B.A. 2000. Cloning of a neonatal calcium atpase isoform (SERCA 1B) from extraocular muscle of adult blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 127: 223-233. Link to PDF

Morrisette, J., Xu, L., Meissner, G., and Block, B.A. 2000. Characterization of RYR1-slow, A ryanodine receptor specific to slow-twitch muscle. American J. Physiology. 279: R1889-R1898. Link to PDF

Reeb,C., Arcangeli, L., and Block, B.A. 2000. Structure and migration corridors in Pacific populations of the swordfish, Xiphias gladius, as inferred through analysis of mitochondrial DNA. Marine Biology 136:1123-1131. Link to PDF

Tubessing, V. and Block, B.A. 2000. Orbital rete and red muscle vein anatomy indicate a high degree of endothermy in the brain and eye of the salmon shark. Acta Zoologica 81: 49-56.

Brill, R., Block, B.A., Boggs, C., Bigelow, K., Freund, E. and Marcinek, D. 1999. Horizontal movements and depth distribution of large adult yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) near the Hawaiian Islands, recorded using ultrasonic telemetry: implications for the physiological ecology of pelagic fishes. Marine Biology 133: 395-408. Link to PDF

Dewar, H., Deffenbaugh, M., Thurmond, G., Lashkari, K. and Block, B.A. 1999. Development of an acoustic telemetry tag for monitoring electromyograms in free-swimming fish. J. Experimental Biology 202, 2693-2699. Link to PDF

Shiels, H., Freund, E., Farrell, T. and Block, B.A. 1999. The sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a major role in isometric contraction in atrial muscle from yellowfin tuna. J. Experimental Biology. 202: 881-890. Link to PDF

Block, B.A., Dewar, H., Williams, T., Prince, E.D., Farwell, C. and Fudge, D. 1998. A new satellite technology for tracking the movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Proceedings of the National Academy. 95: 9384-9389. Link to PDF

Block, B. A., Dewar, H., Williams, T., Prince, E. and Farwell, C. 1998. Archival tagging of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus). Marine Technological Society Journal. 32: 37-46.

Franck, J., Londraville, R., Keen, J., Beamsley, M. and Block, B.A. 1998. Cloning and characterization of fiber type specific ryanodine receptor isoforms in skeletal muscles of fish. American Journal of Physiology. 275: C401-C415. Link to PDF

Tullis, A; Block, BA. 1997. Histochemical and immunohistochemical studies on the origin of the blue marlin heater cell phenotype. Tissue and Cell 29: 627-642.

Altringham, J.D. and Block, B.A. 1997. Why do tuna maintain elevated temperatures? Power output of muscle isolated from endothermic and ectothermic fish. J. Experimental Biology. 199: 2617-2627. Link to PDF

Block, B. A., Keen, J., Castillo, B., Dewar, H., Freund, E., Marcinek, D., Brill, R.W. and Farwell, C. 1997. Environmental preferences of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) at the northern extent of its range. Marine Biology. 130: 119-132. Link to PDF

OBrien, J; Block, BA. 1996. Effects of Ca2+ on oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria from the thermogenic organ of marlin. J. Experimental Biology 199: 2679-2687. Link to PDF

Tullis, A; Block, BA. 1996. Expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoforms in marlin and swordfish muscle and heater cells. American J. Physiology 40: R262-275.

Rosel, PE; Block, BA. 1996. Mitochondrial control region variability and global population structure in the swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Marine Biology 125: 11-22.

Barbara A. Block, Thermogenesis in Muscle, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 1994. 56:535-77 Link to PDF

Technical Reports

Robert D. Ward, Carol A. Reeb, Barbara A. Block, 2001 Population Structure of Australian Swordfish, Xiphias gladius, Final Report to AFMA Link to PDF

Block, B. A., Dewar, H., Blackwell, S., Williams, T.D., Boustany, A., Prince, E.D., Farwell, C. and Seitz, A. 2000. Archival and Pop-Up Satellite Tagging of Bluefin Tuna in the Western North Atlantic. Int. Comm. Cons. Atl. Tunas, Madrid, Spain, Coll. Vol. Sci. Pap.

Ph. D. Theses

Freund, Ellen V. 1999. Comparisons of metabolic and cardiac performance in scombrid fishes: insights into the evolution of endothermy. Stanford University. Dept. of Biological Sciences. Ph.D Thesis.

Marcinek, David J. 2000. The physiological ecology of myoglobin in scombrid fish. Stanford University. Dept. of Biological Sciences. Ph.D Thesis.

Book Chapters

Collette, B.B., Reeb, C. and Block, B. A. 2001. Systematics of the Tunas and Mackerels (Scombridae). In: Block, B.A. and Stevens, E.D. 2001. Tuna: Physiology, Ecology and Evolution. Academic Press.

Gunn, J. and Block, B.A. 2001. Advances in Acoustic, Archival and Satellite telemetry. In: Block, B.A. and Stevens, E.D. Tuna: Physiology, Ecology and Evolution. Academic Press.

Farwell, C. 2001. Tunas in Captivity. In: Block, B.A. and Stevens, E.D. Tuna: Physiology, Ecology and Evolution. Academic Press.

Block, B.A., Dewar, H., Blackwell, S., Williams, T., Prince, E., Boustany, A., Farwell, C., Dau D., and Seitz, A. 2001. Archival and Pop-up Satellite Tagging of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. Methods and Technologies in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Vol 1. J. Sibert and J. Nielsen (eds.) Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Boustany, A.M., Marcinek, D., Keen J., Dewar, H., and Block, B.A. 2001. Movements and temperature preferences of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) off North Carolina: A comparison of acoustic, archival and pop-up satellite tags. Methods and Technologies in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Vol 1. J. Sibert and J. Nielsen (eds.) Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Conference Presentations/Abstracts

Block, BA. 2003. Hot tunas in cold seas: Ecological physiology of endothermic fish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A. 134A: S2-S3.

Blank, JM; Morrissette, JM; Block, BA. 2003. Cold induced bradycardia in bluefin tuna hearts. Faseb J. 17: A935.

Morrissette, JM; Blank, JM; Block, BA. 2003. Comparison of cardiac performance in endothermic and ectothermic fish of the family Scombridae. Faseb J. 17: A935.

Landeira-Fernandez, AM; Block, BA. 2003. Temperature dependence of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) from endothermic tuna and ecotothermic mackerel hearts. Faseb J. 17: A935.

Block, BA, Costa DP, Boehlert, GW, and Kochevar, R. 2002. Tagging of Pacific pelagics. AAAS 168: A32.

Shiels, HA; Blank, JM; Farrell, AP; Block, BA. 2002. Electrophysiological properties of the L-type Ca2+ current in cardiomyocytes from Pacific mackerel and bluefin tuna. J. Physiology - London 544: 57P.

Blank, JM; Morrissette, JM; Massaroti, H; Blackwell, SB; Block, BA. 2001. Physiology & biochemical characteristics of Pacific & Atlantic bluefin tuna hearts. American Zoologist 41: 1394.

Morrissette, JM; Blank, JM; Davie, PS; Block, BA. 2001. Effect of calcium, epinephrine, and temperature on cardiac performance in yellowfin tuna. Faseb J. 15: A89.

Blank, J.M., Davie, P.S., Morrissette, J.M. , and Block, B.A. 2001. Effects of temperature on cardiac performance in yellowfin tuna. Amer. Zool. 40: 946.

Blackwell, S. B., Marcinek, D. J., Dewar, H., Farwell, C., Seitz, A., Boustany, A. and Block, B. A. 2000. Depth, Thermal Preference and Body Temperature of Pacific Bluefin Tuna from Acoustic and Pop-Up Satellite Archival Tags. Proceedings of the Symposium on Tagging and Tracking Marine Fish With Electronic Devices. University of Hawaii, February 2000.

Block, B.A., Dewar, H., Blackwell, S., Boustany, A. 2000. Archival and pop-off satellite tags reveal new information about Atlantic bluefin tuna thermal biology and feeding behaviors. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology ; Aug. 1999; v.124, no.SUPPL., p.S21.

Block, B. A., Dewar, H., Blackwell, S. B., Williams, T., Boustany, A. M., Prince, E., Farwell, C. and Seitz, A. 2000. Archival and Pop-Up Satellite Tags Reveal New Information About Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Migrations, Biology and Oceanographic Preference. Proceedings of the Symposium on Tagging and Tracking Marine Fish With Electronic Devices. University of Hawaii, February 2000.

Boustany, A. M., Marcinek, D. J., Dewar, H., Keen, J., Seitz, A., Kade, T. and Block, B. A. 2000. Behavior and Environmental Preference of Bluefin Tuna off the Coast of North Carolina Inferred form Acoustic, Archival and Pop-Up Satellite Tags. Proceedings of the Symposium on Tagging and Tracking Marine Fish With Electronic Devices. University of Hawaii, February 2000.

Morrissette, J. M., Franck, J., Block, B. A. 2000. Characterization of ryanodine receptor and SERCA isoforms in the thermogenic heater organ of Swordfish and Marlin. Biophys. J. 78 (1 Pt 2): 187A.

Block, B. A., Dewar, H., Blackwell, S., Williams, T.D., Prince, E.D., Farwell, C., Boustany, A. and Seitz, A. 1999. Archival Tagging of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. Int. Comm. Cons. Atl. Tunas, Madrid, Spain, Coll. Vol. Sci. Pap. SCRS/99/103: 26 pp.

Block, B.A., Dewar, H., Williams, T., Blackwell, S.B., Boustany, A., Dau, D., Prince, E., and Farwell, C. 1999. Comparison of acoustic archival and pop-off satellite tag data and the movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Proceedings of the 50th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Freund, E.V. and Block, B.A. 1999. A comparison of tissue aerobic activity in endothermic and ectothermic scombrids. FASEB 13(4): A383.

Marcinek, D.J., Bonaventura, J., and Block, B.A. 1999. The role of temperature in the relationship between myglobin and aerobic capacity in endothermic tunas. American Zoologist. 38(5): 92A.

Marcinek, D.J., Bonaventura, J., Wittenberg, J.B. and Block, B.A. 1999. Characterization of myoglobins from fish with different thermoregulatory strategies. FASEB Journal. 13(4 Part 1): A383.

Block, B.A., Dewar, H., Farwell, C. and Prince, E. 1998. Movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna and blue marlin examined with pop up satellite tags. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Fletcher, S., Freund, E.V., Williams, T.D., Farwell, C., and Block, B.A. 1998. Monitoring physiological parameters in captive yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). Proceedings of the 49th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Freund, E.V. and Block, B.A. 1998. Increased temperature causes decreased force production in ventricular strips of endothermic and ectothermic scombrids. Am. Zool. 37: 187A.

Marcinek, D.J. and Block, B.A. 1998. The relationship between myoglobin and aerobic capactiy along a thermal gradient in an endothermic scombrid. FASEB Journal. 12(5): A679.

Reeb, C., Arcangeli, L., and Block, B.A. 1998. Microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA and population subdivision in Pacific swordfish. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Phillips, R., Farwell, C., and Holland-Weidner, S. 1998. Temporal patterns of nitrification and dissolved oxygen following feeding of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) in semi-closed life support systems. Proceedings of the 49th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Block, B.A., Dewar, H., Williams, T., Prince, E., Farwell, C., and Fudge, D. 1997. Archival and pop-up satellite tagging of Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Farwell, C. 1997. Captive care of yellowfin tuna at the Tuna Research and Conservation Center. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Farwell, C., Block, B.A, Freund, E. and Dewar, H. 1997. Scientific investigations concerning tunas at the Tuna Research and Conservation Center of Monterey Bay Aquarium and Hopkins Marine Station. Proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Marine Sciences, Havana, Cuba, September 1997.

Farwell, C., Phillips, R. and Holland, S. 1997. Life support system design and water quality observations for tunas at the Tuna Research and Conservation Center of Monterey Bay Aquarium and Hopkins Marine Station. Proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Marine Sciences, Havana, Cuba, September 1997.

Reeb, C., Arcangeli, L., and Block, B.A. 1997. Microsatellite loci reveal population structure in Pacific swordfish. Proceedings of the 48th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Freund, E.V., Harwood, C.L., Altringham, J.D. and Block, B.A. 1996. Force- frequency relationships in ventricular strips of three scombrid fishes and effects of changes in extracellular Ca and temperature. Am Zool. 36: 66A.

Brill, R., Block, B.A., Boggs, C., Bigelow, K., Freund, E., and Marcinek, D. 1996. Horizontal and vertical movements of adult yellowfin tuna near the Hawaiian Islands observed by acoustic telemetry. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Dewar, H., Deffenbaugh, M., Marcinek, D., and Block, B.A. 1996. Development of acoustic EMG tags and use of archival techniques on captive tuna. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Farwell, C., Marcinek, D., Perla, B., and Block, B.A. 1996. Feeding and growth observations in captive tuna. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Marcinek, D.J., Wittenberg, J.B. and Block, B.A. 1996. Functional studies of myglobins from endothermic ectothermic fishes. American Zoologist. 36(5): 39A.

Reeb, C. and Block, B.A. 1996. Population structure dynamics in Coryphaena hippurus as inferred through mitochondrial DNA. Proceedings of the 47th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Reeb, C., Arcangeli, L., and Block, B.A. 1996. Using mitochondrial DNA sequence and microsatellite loci to examine population structure in Pacific swordfish. Proceedings of 47th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Block, B.A., Keen, J.E., Castillo, B., Brill, R.W., Farwell, C. 1995. Environmental preferences of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacaras) in the Southern California Bight. Proceedings of the 46th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Rosel, P.E., and Block, B.A. 1995. Mitochondrial control region variability and global population structure in the swordfish, Xiphias gladius. Proceedings of the 46th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Block, B.A., Rosel, P.E. and Finnerty, J.R. 1994. Worldwide population structure of blue marlin and swordfish inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Proceedings of the 45th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Farwell, C., Darrow, C., Greenwald, S. and Case, A. 1994. Growth rate, food consumption and swimming behavior or yellowfin tunas in captivity. Proceedings of the 45th Annual Tuna Conference. Lake Arrowhead, California.

Farwell, C. and O’Sullivan, J.B. 1993. Collection, transportation and observations on the keeping of tuna, family Scombridae, at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Proceedings of the 44th Annual Tuna Conference. La Jolla, California.

Marcinek, D., Block, B.A., Somero, G., and Paladino, F. 1993. Immuoflourescence, histochemical, and enzymatic charaterization of the leatherback turtle pectoralis muscle. American Zoologist. 33(5): 35A.

Undergraduate Papers at the TRCC from Stanford University’s Spring Course * Honors Project

Food requirements and lipid accumulation in captive yellowfin tuna. Thunnus albacares. 1995. Biancha Perla

Repeatable Blood Sampling Technique for Captive Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) . 1996. Simon Fletcher

Activity level of captive Yellowfin Tuna. 1996. Kimberly Freeman

Fat metabolism and physiology in captive yellowfin tuna. 1997. Denise Imai

Mophological and biochemical evidence for countercurrent heat exchange in the tuna caecum. 1998. Tamara Jaron

Intramuscular anesthesia in Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares), Bonito (Sarda chiliensis), and Pacific Mackerel (Scomber japonicus), its viability and effects on blood parameters. 1998. Megan Rollins

*Cranial, orbital rete, and red muscle vein anatomy indicate a high degree of endothermy in the brain and eye of the salmon shark, Lamna ditropis 1998. Victor Tubessing

Medetomidine and Ketamine anesthesia in Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares), Bonito (Sarda chiliensis), and Pacific Mackerek (Scomber japonicus). 1999. Megan Rollins

*Anatomical adaptations for endothermy: Retia mirabilia in the salmon shark, Lamna ditropis. Jana Elizabeth Condie

Reproductive Biology of Bluefin Tuna and Other Scombrids. 1999. Tad Schwager

Book Reviews

Block, B.A. 2000. Of Tuna and Tonnarti. Science 289: 876-877.