Global data set for nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes of tunas

Nitrogen and carbon stable isotope data sets are commonly used to assess complex population ecosystem responses natural or anthropogenic changes at regional global spatial scales, monthly decadal timescales. Measured in the tissues of consumers, nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) primarily estimate trophic position while (δ13C) describe habitat associations feeding pathways. Models both δ15N δ13C values their associated variance can be likely dietary contributions niche width provide inferences about consumer movement migration. Stable have added utility when combination with other empirical (e.g., stomach content, tracking, bioregionalization, contaminant, fisheries data) increasingly relied upon food web models. While numerous studies publish tables mean values, limited individual records been made available for wider use. Such a deficiency has impeded full data, which otherwise would facilitate identification macroscale patterns. The provided here consist 4,498 individuals three tuna species, Thunnus alalunga, T. obesus, albacares sampled from all major ocean basins 2000 2015. For each tuna, we record following: species name, sampling date, location, length, muscle bulk baseline corrected and, where available, lipid values. We these support comparative more robust modeling projects seeking improve understanding marine dynamics changing environment. There no copyright restrictions research and/or teaching purposes. Users requested acknowledge use publications, proposals, websites, outlets following citation instructions Class III, Section B.