Which food source contributes the majority volume in yellowfin stomach content analysis?
Answer
Whole fish
When assessing the total volume of food consumed across various scientific sampling efforts, whole fish consistently account for the majority of the intake by volume. These fish are typically smaller, pelagic species that aggregate in schools, such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel. When yellowfin encounter these dense aggregations, often referred to as bait balls, the fish become the principal source of energy until that concentration disperses, highlighting their importance in the tuna's overall caloric budget.
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