Abstract
Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), an ancient fish endemic to the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), has faced significant challenges in recent decades. Since 1990, several serious issues have been raised regarding conservation, fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture. In the search for solutions for sustainable Totoaba aquaculture in Mexico, research from natural and social science disciplines has converged to give explanations and proposals. In light of the scientific findings, publications have brought insights into biology, immunology, ecology, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, policies, and social aspects. This review synthesizes and integrates the current state of knowledge across these fields, offering a comprehensive overview of Totoaba research and highlighting prospects, with a particular emphasis on sustainable aquaculture practices and long-term conservation strategies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.
References
Aceves-Bueno E, Read AJ, Cisneros-Mata MA (2021) Illegal fisheries, environmental crime, and the conservation of marine resources. Conserv Biol 35:1120–1129. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13674
Ainis AF, Porcayo-Michelini A, Vellanoweth RL, Guía-Ramírez A (2021) Morphometric and stable isotope analysis of archaeological Totoaba macdonaldi otoliths, Baja California, México. Quatern Int 595:98–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2021.03.037
de Anda-Montañez JA, García-De León FJ, Zenteno-Savin T, BalartPaez EF, Méndez-Rodríguez LC, Bocanegra-Castillo MJ, Martínez-Aguilar S, Campos-Dávila L, Román-Rodríguez MJ, Valenzuela-Quiñonez F, Rodríguez-Jaramillo ME, Meza-Chávez ME, Ramírez-Rosas JJ, SaldañaHernández IJ, Olguín-Monroy NO, Martínez-Delgado ME (2013) Estado de salud y estatus de conservación de la(s) población(es) de totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) en el Golfo de California: una especie en peligro de extinción (Informe Final, SNIB-CONABIO.), Proyecto HK050. México.
Angulo C, Sanchez V, Delgado K, Reyes-Becerril M (2019) C-type lectin 17A and macrophage-expressed receptor genes are magnified by fungal β-glucan after Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in Totoaba macdonaldi cells. Immunobiology 224:102–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imbio.2018.10.003
Arreguín-Sánchez F, del Monte-Luna P, Zetina-Rejón MJ, Albáñez-Lucero MO (2017) The Gulf of California Large Marine Ecosystem: fisheries and other natural resources. Environ Dev 22:71–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2017.03.002
Bañuelos-Vargas I, López LM, Pérez-Jiménez A, Peres H (2014) Effect of fishmeal replacement by soy protein concentrate with taurine supplementation on hepatic intermediary metabolism and antioxidant status of Totoaba juveniles (Totoaba macdonaldi). Comp Biochem Physiol b: Biochem Mol Biol 170:18–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2014.01.003
Barragán-Longoria MF, Hinojosa-Alvarez S, Hernandez-Perez J, Gonzalez-Cobian LN, Fabian-Ortiz E, Garcia-Roche A, Chavez-Santoscoy RA (2023) Supplementation of flavonoids and inulin in Totoaba macdonaldi: microbiota, liver gene expression and growth performance responses. Aquac Rep 31:101654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2023.101654
Barreto-Curiel F, Focken U, D’Abramo LR, Cuarón JA, Viana MT (2018a) Use of isotopic enrichment to assess the relationship among dietary protein levels, growth and nitrogen retention in juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 495:794–802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.06.001
Barreto-Curiel F, Ramirez-Puebla ST, Ringø E, Escobar-Zepeda A, Godoy-Lozano E, Vazquez-Duhalt R, Sanchez-Flores A, Viana MT (2018b) Effects of extruded aquafeed on growth performance and gut microbiome of juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. Anim Feed Sci Technol 245:91–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.09.002
Barreto-Curiel F, Focken U, D’Abramo LR, Mata-Sotres J, Viana MT (2019) Assessment of amino acid requirements for Totoaba macdonaldi at different levels of protein using stable isotopes and a non-digestible protein source as a filler. Aquaculture 503:550–561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.01.038
Basurto X, Cinti A, Bourillón L, Rojo M, Torre J, Weaver AH (2012) The emergence of access controls in small-scale fishing commons: a comparative analysis of individual licenses and common property-rights in two mexican communities. Hum Ecol 40:597–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-012-9508-1
Beltrán-Solís K, García-Mendoza E, Sánchez-Serrano S, López LM (2023) Domoic acid affects brain morphology and causes behavioral alterations in two fish species. Sci Rep 13:21729. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49041-0
Bessesen B (2020) Vaquita marina: Ciencia, política y crimen organizado en el golfo de California. Grano de Sal, Mexico
Boilevin V, Crosta A, Hennige SJ (2023) Addressing illegal transnational trade of totoaba and its role in the possible extinction of the vaquita. J Int’l Wildlife Law Pol’y 26:104–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880292.2023.2229637
Brusca RC, Álvarez-Borrego S, Hastings PA, Findley LT (2017) Colorado River flow and biological productivity in the Northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Earth Sci Rev 164:1–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2016.10.012
Cabanillas-Gámez M, López LM, Galaviz MA, True CD, Bardullas U (2018) Effect of L-tryptophan supplemented diets on serotonergic system and plasma cortisol in Totoaba macdonaldi (Gilbert, 1890) juvenile exposed to acute stress by handling and hypoxia. Aquac Res 49:847–857. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13529
Cabanillas-Gámez M, Bardullas U, Galaviz MA, Rodriguez S, Rodriguez VM, López LM (2020) Tryptophan supplementation helps totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) juveniles to regain homeostasis in high-density culture conditions. Fish Physiol Biochem 46:597–611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-019-00734-2
Cáceres-Martínez J, Vasquez Yeomans R (2023) Buenas Prácticas de Cultivo de Totoaba macdonaldi y plan de manejo sanitario, Primera. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali
Cardeñosa D (2019) Luxury seafood trade: extinction vs. lavishness, In: Cochran JK, Bokuniewicz HJ, Yager PL (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences (Third Edition). Academic Press, Oxford, pp. 409–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.11206-0
Carriquiry JD, Sánchez A (1999) Sedimentation in the Colorado River delta and Upper Gulf of California after nearly a century of discharge loss. Mar Geol 158:125–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-3227(98)00189-3
Cisneros-Mata MA, Montemayor-López G, Román-Rodríguez MJ (1995) Life history and conservation of Totoaba macdonaldi. Conserv Biol 9:806–814. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.1995.09040806.x
Cisneros-Mata MA, Botsford LW, Quinn JF (1997) Projecting viability of Totoaba Macdonaldi, a population with unknown age-dependent variability. Ecol Appl 7:968–980. https://doi.org/10.2307/2269447
Cisneros-Mata M, Steinkruger A, Aceves-Bueno E (2020) Modelo poblacional de totoaba. In: M. Cisneros-Mata (ed) Evaluación de la población de Totoaba macdonaldi, INAPESCA, Mexico, p 65–74. https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/720624/Evaluacion_poblacion_totoaba.pdf
Cisneros-Montemayor A, Vincent A (2016) Science, society, and flagship species: social and political history as keys to conservation outcomes in the Gulf of California. Ecol Soc 21. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08255-210209
Conde-Guerrero P, Méndez-Rodríguez LC, de Anda-Montañez JA, Zenteno-Savín T (2021) Nutritional content of Totoaba macdonaldi (Gilbert, 1890), antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in muscle. PeerJ 9:e11129. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11129
Córdova-Montejo M, Álvarez-González CA, López LM, True CD, Frías-Quintana CA, Galaviz MA (2019a) Changes of digestive enzymes in totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi Gilbert, 1890) during early ontogeny. Lat Am J Aquat Res 47:102–113. https://doi.org/10.3856/vol47-issue1-fulltext-11
Córdova-Montejo M, De Rodrigáñez Sáenz, García M, Saul Peña-Marín E, Martínez-García R, Camarillo-Coop S, López LM, Galaviz MA, Alvarez-González CA (2019b) Partial characterization of digestive proteases in Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi). Mar Freshw Behav Physiol 52:167–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/10236244.2019.1662724
Coronel-Yáñez L (2016) La totoaba: gigante del alto golfo de California. Centros de Estudio Sobre la Universidad de la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México
Cruz-López H, Rodríguez-Morales S, Enríquez-Paredes LM, Villarreal-Gómez LJ, True C, Olivera-Castillo L, Fernández-Velasco DA, López LM (2023) Swim bladder of farmed Totoaba macdonaldi: a source of value-added collagen. Marine Drugs 21:173. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21030173
Curiel-Bernal MV, Aragón-Noriega EA, Cisneros-Mata MÁ, Sánchez-Velasco L, Jiménez-Rosenberg SPA, Parés-Sierra A (2021) Using observed residual error structure yields the best estimates of individual growth parameters. Fishes 6:35. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6030035
Curiel-Bernal MV, Cisneros-Mata MÁ, Rodríguez-Domínguez G, Sánchez-Velasco L, Jiménez-Rosenberg SPA, Parés-Sierra A, Aragón-Noriega EA (2023) Modelling early growth of Totoaba macdonaldi (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) under Laboratory Conditions. Fishes 8:155. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8030155
De-Anda-Montañez JA, Hernández-Tlapale C, Ketchum JT, Muhlia-Melo A, Trasviña-Castro A, Valenzuela-Quiñonez F (2020) First record of vertical movements of the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) as evidenced by pop-up satellite tags in the Upper Gulf of California. J Mar Biol Assoc U K 100:143–151. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315419001188
del Mar Ochoa-Saloma C, Jenkins JA, Segovia MA, Del Rio-Portilla MA, Paniagua-Chávez CG (2020) Establishing genome sizes of focal fishery and aquaculture species along Baja California, Mexico. Conserv Genet Resour 12:301–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-019-01105-y
Díaz-Viloria N, Sánchez-Velasco L, Perez-Enriquez R, Jiménez-Rosenberg SP (2013) Molecular identification and morphological description of totoaba Totoaba macdonaldi and curvina Cynoscion reticulatus preflexion larvae (Perciformes: Sciaenidae). Ichthyol Res 60:390–395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-013-0359-6
Escárcega-Miranda B (2022) Co-alimentación durante el desarrollo temprano de larvas de Totoaba (Totoaba Macdonaldi) bajo condiciones de cultivo. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Ensenada
Escuredo-Vielba R, Del Río-Portilla MA, Mata-Sotres JA, Barón-Sevilla B, Guerrero-Rentería Y, Paniagua-Chávez CG (2018) Characterization and localization of primordial germ cells in Totoaba macdonaldi. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 225:29–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpb.2018.07.001
Espinosa-Chaurand LD, Silva-Loera A, García-Esquivel Z, López-Acuña LM (2015) Uso de harina de cabeza de camarón como reemplazo proteico de harina de pescado en dietas balanceadas para juveniles de Totoaba macdonaldi (Gilbert, 1890). Lat Am J Aquat Res 43:457–465. https://doi.org/10.3856/vol43-issue3-fulltext-7
Fuentes-Quesada JP, Viana MT, Rombenso AN, Guerrero-Rentería Y, Nomura-Solís M, Gomez-Calle V, Lazo JP, Mata-Sotres JA (2018) Enteritis induction by soybean meal in Totoaba macdonaldi diets: effects on growth performance, digestive capacity, immune response and distal intestine integrity. Aquaculture 495:78–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.05.025
Fuentes-Quesada JP, Cornejo-Granados F, Mata-Sotres JA, Ochoa-Romo JP, Rombenso AN, Guerrero-Rentería Y, Lazo JP, Pohlenz C, Ochoa-Leyva A, Viana MT (2020) Prebiotic agavin in juvenile totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi diets, to relieve soybean meal-induced enteritis: growth performance, gut histology and microbiota. Aquac Nutr 26:2115–2134. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.13151
Fuentes-Quesada JP, Barón-Sevilla B, Guerrero-Rentería Y, Mata-Sotres JA, Viana MT, Pohlenz C, Lazo JP (2023a) The prebiotic effect of agavin inclusion levels in low fishmeal diets for Totoaba macdonaldi juveniles. Anim Feed Sci Technol 303:115695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2023.115695
Fuentes-Quesada JP, Viana MT, Mata-Sotres JA, Campos A, Pohlenz C, Lazo JP (2023b) Dietary glutamine enhances growth performance and gut integrity of Totoaba macdonaldi juveniles fed low fishmeal diets but has limited synergetic effects in combination with a prebiotic. Aquaculture 576:739834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2023.739834
Galaviz M, López L, Gasca AG, Gisbert E, Álvarez A, Sandoval G, True C (2013) Expression and activity of three digestive proteases in larvae of the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi). larvi 2013:135
Galaviz MA, López LM, García Gasca A, Álvarez González CA, True CD, Gisbert E (2015) Digestive system development and study of acid and alkaline protease digestive capacities using biochemical and molecular approaches in totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) larvae. Fish Physiol Biochem 41:1117–1130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0073-6
Garcés-Rodríguez Y, Sánchez-Velasco L, Díaz-Viloria N, Jiménez-Rosenberg SPA, Godínez V, Montes-Arechiga J, Munguia-Vega A (2018) Larval distribution and connectivity of the endemic Sciaenidae species in the Upper Gulf of California. J Plankton Res 40:606–618. https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fby033
García de León FJ, Valles-Jimenez R, Shaw K, Ward R, de Anda Montañez JA, Martínez Delgado ME (2010) Characterization of fourteen microsatellite loci in the endemic and threatened totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) from the Gulf of California. Conservation Genet Resour 2:219–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-010-9241-2
Garnica-Gómez LA, Mata-Sotres JA, Lazo JP (2024) Effect of macroalgae as a functional ingredient in grow-out diets on the biological performance, digestive capacity, and immune response of totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquacult Int 32:979–998. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01197-2
Gentry RR, Gaines SD, Gabe JS, Lester SE (2019) Looking to aquatic species for conservation farming success. Conserv Lett 12:e12681. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12681
Giffard-Mena I, Hernández-Montiel ÁH, Pérez-Robles J, David-True C (2020) Effects of salinity on survival and plasma osmolarity of Totoaba macdonaldi eggs, larvae, and juveniles. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 526:151339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2020.151339
González-Félix ML, Perez-Velazquez M, Cañedo-Orihuela H (2017) The effects of environmental salinity on the growth and physiology of totoaba Totoaba macdonaldi and shortfin corvina Cynoscion parvipinnis. J Fish Biol 91:510–527. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13358
González-Félix ML, Gatlin DM, Urquidez-Bejarano P, de la Reé-Rodríguez C, Duarte-Rodríguez L, Sánchez F, Casas-Reyes A, Yamamoto FY, Ochoa-Leyva A, Perez-Velazquez M (2018a) Effects of commercial dietary prebiotic and probiotic supplements on growth, innate immune responses, and intestinal microbiota and histology of Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 491:239–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.03.031
González-Félix ML, Santana-Bejarano EB, Perez-Velazquez M, Villalba-Villalba AG (2018b) Partial characterization, quantification and activity of pancreatic lipase in the gastrointestinal tract of Totoaba Macdonaldi. Arch Biol Sci 70:489–496. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS180202009G
González-Félix ML, Perez-Velazquez M, Castellanos-Rico M, Sachs AM, Gray LD, Gaines SD, Goto GM (2021) First report on the swim bladder index, proximate composition, and fatty acid analysis of swim bladder from cultured Totoaba macdonaldi fed compound aquafeeds. Aquaculture Reports 21:100901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2021.100901
Guevara JCB (1990) The conservation of Totoaba macdonaldi (Gilbert), Pisces: Sciaenidae), in the Gulf of California, Mexico. J Fish Biol 37:201–202. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1990.tb05038.x
Hernández-Aguilar SB, Zenteno-Savin T, De-Anda-Montañez JA, Méndez-Rodríguez LC (2018) Temporal variation in oxidative stress indicators in liver of totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) Perciformes: Sciaenidae. J Mar Biol Assoc U K 98:833–844. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315416001909
Juarez LM, Konietzko PA, Schwarz MH (2016) Totoaba aquaculture and conservation: hope for an endangered fish from Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. World Aquac 47:30–38
Juárez OE, Galindo-Sánchez CE, la Cruz FL-D, Enciso S, López-Landavery EA, Muñoz C, Aguilera F, Lazo JP (2024) Physiological and transcriptomic effects of formulated diets including the prebiotics inulin, β-glucan, and chitosan on juveniles of Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquac Int 32:61–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01144-1
Larios-Soriano E, Zavala RC, López LM, Gómez-Gil B, Ramírez DT, Sanchez S, Canales K, Galaviz MA (2022) Soy protein concentrate effects on gut microbiota structure and digestive physiology of Totoaba macdonaldi. J Appl Microbiol 132:1384–1396. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.15269
Larios-Soriano E, Díaz F, Re-Araujo AD, López LM, López-Galindo L, True CD, Álvarez CA, Galaviz MA (2023) Influence of temperature on respiratory metabolism during early development of Totoaba macdonaldi. Lat Am J Aquat Res 51:109–116. https://doi.org/10.3856/vol51-issue1-fulltext-2952
Lazo JP, Fuentes-Quesada JP, Villareal-Rodarte G, Viana MT, Baron-Sevilla B (2020) The effect of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels on growth, survival, and feed utilization in juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 525:735350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735350
Lercari D, Arreguín-Sánchez F (2009) An ecosystem modelling approach to deriving viable harvest strategies for multispecies management of the Northern Gulf of California. Aquat Conserv 19:384–397. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.978
Lercari D, Chávez EA (2007) Possible causes related to historic stock depletion of the totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), endemic to the Gulf of California. Fish Res 86:136–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2007.05.010
López LM, Durazo E, Rodríguez-Gómez A, True CD, Viana MT (2006) Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of wild and cultured juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. Cienc Mar 32:303–309. https://doi.org/10.7773/cm.v32i21.1059
López LM, Flores-Ibarra M, Bañuelos-Vargas I, Galaviz MA, True CD (2015) Effect of fishmeal replacement by soy protein concentrate with taurine supplementation on growth performance, hematological and biochemical status, and liver histology of totoaba juveniles (Totoaba macdonaldi). Fish Physiol Biochem 41:921–936. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0058-5
Madrid J, Pohlenz C, Viana MT, Lazo JP (2019) Dietary lysine requirement for juvenile, Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 500:92–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.10.003
Madrid J, Pohlenz C, Viana MT, Lazo JP (2023) Apparent digestibility coefficients of selected protein ingredients for juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. J World Aquac Soc 54:1013–1025. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12902
Maldonado-Othón CA, Perez-Velazquez M, Gatlin DM, González-Félix ML (2020) Replacement of fish oil by soybean oil and microalgal meals in diets for Totoaba macdonaldi (Gilbert, 1890) juveniles. Aquaculture 529:735705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735705
Maldonado-Othón CA, De La Re-Vega E, Perez-Velazquez M, González-Félix ML (2022) Replacement of fish oil by camelina and black soldier fly larvae oils in diets for juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi and their effect on growth, fatty acid profile, and gene expression of pancreatic lipases. Aquaculture 552:737985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.737985
Márquez-Farías JF, Rosales-Juárez FJ (2013) Intrinsic rebound potential of the endangered (Totoaba macdonaldi) population, endemic to the Gulf of California, México. Fish Res 147:150–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2013.05.009
Martínez IA, Alonso AI (2021) Mexican organized crime and the illegal trade in totoaba maw. Trends Organ Crim 24:526–546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-021-09436-9
Mata-Sotres JA, Lazo JP, Baron-Sevilla B (2015) Effect of age on weaning success in totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) larval culture. Aquaculture 437:292–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2014.11.037
Mata-Sotres JA, Tinajero-Chavez A, Barreto-Curiel F, Pares-Sierra G, Del Rio-Zaragoza OB, Viana MT, Rombenso AN (2018) DHA (22:6n–3) supplementation is valuable in Totoaba macdonaldi fish oil-free feeds containing poultry by-product meal and beef tallow. Aquaculture 497:440–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.08.015
Mata-Sotres JA, Viana MT, Lazo JP, Navarro-Guillén C, Fuentes-Quesada JP (2024) Daily Rhythm in Feeding Behavior and Digestive Process in Totoaba (Totoaba Macdonaldi) Under Commercial Farming Conditions. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4801921
Méndez-Rodríguez LC, Hernández-Aguilar B, de Anda-Montañez JA, Balart EF, Román-Rodríguez MJ, Zenteno-Savín T (2021) Influence of sex and maturity state on trace elements content in liver and muscle of the Sciaenidae Totoaba macdonaldi. PeerJ 9:e11068. https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.11068v0.2/reviews/1
Minjarez-Osorio C, González-Félix ML, Perez-Velazquez M (2012) Biological performance of Totoaba macdonaldi in response to dietary protein level. Aquaculture 362–363:50–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2012.07.028
Mitchell DR, Huckleberry G, Rowell K, Dettman DL (2015) Coastal adaptations during the Archaic Period in the northern Sea of Cortez, Mexico. J Island Coast Arch 10:28–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2014.881938
Moreno-Córdova EN, Islas-Osuna MA, Contreras-Vergara CA, López-Zavala AA, Ruiz-Bustos E, Reséndiz-Sandoval MG, Castillo-Yañez FJ, Criscitiello MF, Arvizu-Flores AA (2020) Molecular characterization and expression analysis of the chicken-type and goose-type lysozymes from totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi). Dev Comp Immunol 113:103807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2020.103807
Morzaria-Luna HN, Ainsworth CH, Kaplan IC, Levin PS, Fulton EA (2013) Indirect effects of conservation policies on the coupled human-natural ecosystem of the upper Gulf of California. PLoS ONE 8:e64085. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064085
Mroue-Ruiz FH, Pacheco-Sandoval A, Lago-Lestón A, Giffard-Mena I, Abadía-Cardoso A, Chong-Robles J, Schramm Y (2023) Metabarcoding used for the first time to identify prey of wild Totoaba macdonaldi. Integr Comp Biol 63:276–287. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icad030
Nelson SM, Zamora-Arroyo F, Ramírez-Hernández J, Santiago-Serrano E (2013) Geomorphology of a recurring tidal sandbar in the estuary of the Colorado River, Mexico: implications for restoration. Ecol Eng 59:121–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.12.095
Nevárez-Martínez MO, González-Máynez VE, Valdez-Pelayo A, Cisneros-Mata MÁ, Villalobos H (2024) Target strength and biomass estimation of Totoaba (Totoaba Macdonaldi Gilbert, 1981) in the Gulf of California, Mexico 16. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4827658
Olmos J, López LM, Gorriño A, Galaviz MA, Mercado V (2022) Bacillus subtilis effects on growth performance and health status of Totoaba macdonaldi fed with high levels of soy protein concentrate. Animals 12:3422. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233422
Ortega EEY, Reyes JGC, Rodríguez MH (2021) Growth, thermal preference and critical thermal maximum for Totoaba macdonaldi: effect of acclimation temperature and inclusion of soybean meal in the diet. Lat Am J Aquat Res 49:258–271. https://doi.org/10.3856/vol49-issue2-fulltext-2563
Páez-Osuna F, Álvarez-Borrego S, Ruiz-Fernández AC, García-Hernández J, Jara-Marini ME, Bergés-Tiznado ME, Piñón-Gimate A, Alonso-Rodríguez R, Soto-Jiménez MF, Frías-Espericueta MG, Ruelas-Inzunza JR, Green-Ruiz CR, Osuna-Martínez CC, Sanchez-Cabeza J-A (2017) Environmental status of the Gulf of California: a pollution review. Earth Sci Rev 166:181–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2017.01.014
Paredes-Martínez AE (2018) Descripción de la gonadogénesis e identificación del periodo de diferenciación sexual de Totoaba macdonaldi. Tesis de Maestría en Ciencias. Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California.
Perez-Velazquez M, Minjarez-Osorio C, González-Félix ML (2017) Effect of dietary lipid level on growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi (G ilbert, 1890). Aquac Res 48:2607–2617. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13002
Reyes-Becerril M, Alamillo E, Sánchez-Torres L, Ascencio-Valle F, Perez-Urbiola JC, Angulo C (2016) Leukocyte susceptibility and immune response against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Totoaba macdonaldi. Dev Comp Immunol 65:258–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2016.07.016
Reyes-Becerril M, Sanchez V, Delgado K, Guerra K, Velazquez E, Ascencio F, Angulo C (2018) Caspase -1, -3, -8 and antioxidant enzyme genes are key molecular effectors following Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas veronii infection in fish leukocytes. Immunobiology 223:562–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imbio.2018.07.002
Reyes-Becerril M, Angulo M, Sanchez V, Machuca C, Méndez-Martínez Y, Angulo C (2021) β-Glucan bioactivities from Cystobasidium benthicum in Totoaba macdonaldi thymus cells. Fish Shellfish Immunol 119:542–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2021.10.042
Rodríguez R, Hammann MG (1997) Age and growth of totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi(Sciaenidae), in the upper Gulf of California. Fish Bull 95:620–628
Rodríguez-Domínguez G, Aragón-Noriega EA, Payán-Alejo J, Mendivil-Mendoza JE, Curiel-Bernal MV, Valenzuela-Quiñonez W, Urías-Sotomayor R (2024) The fractal approach to describe growth of farmed marine species: using double and triple logistic models. Fishes 9:106. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9030106
Rodríguez-Jaramillo C, Valenzuela-Quiñonez F, Balart EF, Palacios-Mechetnov E, Méndez-Rodríguez LC, Román-Rodríguez MJ, De-Anda-Montañez JA (2023) Reproductive biology of the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), an endangered species in the Gulf of California. Anim Reprod Sci 259:107363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107363
Roman-Rodriguez MJ (1994) Edad y crecimiento de la totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) Gilbert en el Alto Golfo de California. Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educaci6n Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, México.
Rosas A, Vázquez-Duhalt R, Tinoco R, Shimada A, Dabramo LR, Viana MT (2008) Comparative intestinal absorption of amino acids in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) and Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis). Aquac Nutr 14:481–489. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2095.2007.00553.x
Rowell K, Flessa KW, Dettman DL, Román MJ, Gerber LR, Findley LT (2008a) Diverting the Colorado River leads to a dramatic life history shift in an endangered marine fish. Biol Cons 141:1138–1148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.02.013
Rowell K, True C, Flessa KW, Dettman DL (2008b) Fish without water: validation and application of δ18O in Totoaba macdonaldi otoliths. Cienc Mar 34:55–68. https://doi.org/10.7773/cm.v34i1.1256
Rueda-López S, Lazo JP, Reyes GC, Viana MT (2011) Effect of dietary protein and energy levels on growth, survival and body composition of juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 319:385–390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2011.07.007
Rueda-López S, Martínez-Montaño E, Viana MT (2017) Biochemical characterization and comparison of pancreatic lipases from the Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis; totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi; and striped bass, Morone saxatilis. J World Aquaculture Soc 48:156–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12372
Salazar-Pérez C, Amezcua F, Rosales-Valencia A, Green L, Pollorena-Melendrez JE, Sarmiento-Martínez MA, Tomita Ramírez I, Gil-Manrique BD, Hernandez-Lozano MY, Muro-Torres VM, Green-Ruiz C, Piñon-Colin TDJ, Wakida FT, Barletta M (2021) First insight into plastics ingestion by fish in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Mar Pollut Bull 171:112705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112705
Sanjurjo-Rivera E, Mesnick SL, Ávila-Forcada S, Poindexter O, Lent R, Felbab-Brown V, Cisneros-Montemayor AM, Squires D, Sumaila UR, Munro G (2021) An economic perspective on policies to save the vaquita: conservation actions, wildlife trafficking, and the structure of incentives. Front Mar Sci 8:644022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.644022
Satriyo TB, Galaviz MA, Salze G, López LM (2017) Assessment of dietary taurine essentiality on the physiological state of juvenile Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquac Res 48:5677–5689. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13391
Song Z, Wang Q, Miao Z, Zhang W, Zhou X (2022) The dissemination of relevant information on wildlife utilization and its connection with the illegal trade in wildlife. J For Res 33:357–367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-021-01306-y
Sotres JAM (2010) Evaluación del éxito en el destete en larvas de totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) y jurel cola amarilla (Seriola lalandi dorsalis) utilizando el crecimiento, supervivencia y/o tasas de ingestión (Tesis de Maestría). Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México.
Sun XD (2011) Enzymatic hydrolysis of soy proteins and the hydrolysates utilisation. Int J Food Sci Technol 46:2447–2459. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2011.02785.x
Trejo-Escamilla I, Galaviz MA, Flores-Ibarra M, Alvarez Gonzalez CA, López LM (2017) Replacement of fishmeal by soya protein concentrate in the diets of Totoaba macdonaldi (Gilbert, 1890) juveniles: effect on the growth performance, in vitro digestibility, digestive enzymes and the haematological and biochemistry parameters. Aquac Res 48:4038–4057. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.13225
Trejo-Escamilla I, López LM, Gisbert E, Sanchez S, Rodarte-Venegas D, Álvarez CA, Galaviz MA (2021) Soybean protein concentrate as a protein source for totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) juveniles: effect on intermediary metabolism and liver histological organization. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 262:111062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111062
True CD (2012) Desarrollo de la biotecnia de cultivo de Totoaba macdonaldi. Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Facultad de Ciencias Marina, Ensenada
True CD, Loera AS, Castro NC (1997) Technical notes: acquisition of broodstock of Totoaba macdonaldi: field handling, decompression, and prophylaxis of an endangered species. Progress Fish Cult https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8640(1497)059<0246:TNAOBO>2.3.CO;2
Valdez-Muñoz C, Aragón-Noriega EA, Ortega-Rubio A, Salinas-Zavala CA, Alfredo Arreola-Lizárraga J, Hernández-Vázquez S, Beltrán Morales LF (2010) Distribution and abundance of juvenile totoaba (Totoaba Macdonaldi) and the salinity of its nursery habitat. Interciencia 35:136–139. https://doi.org/10.5555/20103112608
Valenzuela-Quiñonez F, García-de-León FJ, De-Anda-Montañez JA, Balart EF (2011) The “Totoaba” from the gulf of California : a species in danger of extintion? Interciencia 36:664–671
Valenzuela-Quiñonez F, Garza JC, De-Anda-Montañez JA, García-de-León FJ (2014) Inferring past demographic changes in a critically endangered marine fish after fishery collapse. ICES J Mar Sci 71:1619–1628. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu058
Valenzuela-Quiñonez F, Arreguín-Sánchez F, Salas-Márquez S, García-De León FJ, Garza JC, Román-Rodríguez MJ, De-Anda-Montañez JA (2015) Critically endangered totoaba Totoaba macdonaldi: signs of recovery and potential threats after a population collapse. Endanger Species Res 29:1–11. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00693
Valenzuela-Quiñonez F, De-Anda-Montañez JA, Gilbert-Horvath E, Garza JC, García-De León FJ (2016) Panmixia in a critically endangered fish: the Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) in the Gulf of California. J Hered 107:496–503. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esw046
Valenzuela-Quinonez F, Garza JC, De-Anda-Montanez JA, García-de-León FJ (2014) Inferring past demographic changes in a critically endangered marine fish after fishery collapse. ICES J Mar Sci 71:1619–1628. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu058
Vélez-Alavez M, Méndez-Rodriguez LC, De Anda Montañez JA, Mejía CH, Galván-Magaña F, Zenteno-Savín T (2014) Vitamins C and E concentrations in muscle of elasmobranch and teleost fishes. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 170:26–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.01.010
Vélez-Alavez M, De Anda-Montañez JA, Galván-Magaña F, Zenteno-Savín T (2015) Comparative study of enzymatic antioxidants in muscle of elasmobranch and teleost fishes. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 187:61–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2015.04.014
Villanueva-Gutiérrez E, González-Félix ML, Gatlin DM, Perez-Velazquez M (2020a) Use of alternative plant and animal protein blends, in place of fishmeal, in diets for juvenile totoaba, Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 529:735698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735698
Villanueva-Gutiérrez E, Maldonado-Othón CA, Perez-Velazquez M, González-Félix ML (2020b) Activity and partial characterization of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and lipase in the digestive tract of Totoaba macdonaldi. J Aquat Food Prod Technol 29:322–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/10498850.2020.1733157
Villanueva-Gutiérrez E, Rodriguez-Armenta C, González-Félix ML, Perez-Velazquez M (2022) Incorporating hydrolyzed soy protein or black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal into feeds for Totoaba macdonaldi. Aquaculture 554:738152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.738152
Zapata DB, Lazo JP, Herzka SZ, Viana MT (2016) The effect of substituting fishmeal with poultry by-product meal in diets for Totoaba macdonaldi juveniles. Aquac Res 47:1778–1789. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.12636
Acknowledgements
The research was funded by CONAHCYT/Mexico grants INFR-2014-01/225924 and PDCPN2014-01/248033.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
C.M.: Researched and wrote-original draft. M. R-B., E. M-E., R. V-J., J. S-J.: Review and editing original draft. Y.M-M: writing-review & editing. C.A.: Conceptualization, writing-review & editing; All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Handling Editor: Brian Austin
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Machuca, C., Reyes-Becerril, M., Monreal-Escalante, E. et al. Totoaba macdonaldi updated: biology, ecology, immunology, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, policies, and social aspects. Aquacult Int 33, 133 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01810-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-024-01810-y