black sea red data book - Department of Biology

Thunnus thynnus Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms: Scomber thynnus Linnaeus, 1758; Scomber thynnus Risso, 1810; Thynnus
vulgaris Cuvier, 1832; Thynnus brachypterus Moreau, 1881; Thynnus thynnus Frade,
1931; (Thynnus) thynnus Fraser-Bruner, 1935
Common names: Engl: Bluefin tuna; Bulg: Tunets; Georg: Chveulebrivi tinusi,
Cisperi tinusi; Rom: Ton, ton rosu; Russ: Tunets; Turk: Orkinos; Ukr: Tunets
Order PERCIFORMES
Family SCOMBRIDAE
Taxonomic description. A large fish with fusiform, rounded body (nearly circular in
cross-section), very robust in front; immature specimens are more slender. Relatively
large head with small eyes; a raw of small, conic and pointed teeth on both jaws; teeth
on vomer and palatins; nine to ten dorsal and eight to nine anal Unlets; two dorsal fins
separated only by a narrow interspace, the second higher than the first. Pectoral fins
very short, never reaching the interspace between the dorsal fins; two separate flaps
(interpelvic process) between the pelvic fins. A well developed, although not
particularly conspicuous corselet (= the area behind the head and around the pectoral
fins covered with larger and thicker scales). Very small scales on rest of body; on
each side of the caudal peduncle, a strong lateral keel between two small keels located
at the base of the caudal fin lobes. Back dark-blue or back, lower sides and belly
silvery-white with colourless transverse lines alternated with rows of colourless dots
(the latter dominate in older fish), visible only in fresh specimens. First dorsal fin
yellow or bluish, the second reddish-brown; anal fin and finlets dusky yellow, edged
with black; lateral keel black in adults.
IUCN Status
World level:
Black Sea Regional level: EN
Subregion level: EN
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