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del Río L, Navarro-Martínez ZM, Cobián-Rojas D, Chevalier-Monteagudo PP, Angulo-Valdes JA, Rodriguez-Viera L. Biology and ecology of the lionfish Pterois volitans/Pterois miles as invasive alien species: a review. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15728. [PMID: 37520263 PMCID: PMC10377442 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The lionfish is an exotic invasive fish native to the Indo-Pacific, which is established in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Lionfish can affect native fishes and invertebrates through direct predation or competition for food. The present review aims to analyze the most relevant characteristics of the biology and ecology of lionfish as an invasive alien species, with an emphasis on Cuba. We provide a current view of the well-known lionfish as a successful invasive fish, and we put in this context the information regarding lionfish in Cuban waters, enriching the background knowledge, and giving novel and relevant information. The compilation of numerous publications on the subject has allowed for a more complete analysis of essential aspects of this invader in the Cuban archipelago. The consulted literature records that the first report of lionfish in Cuba occurred in 2007; subsequently, sightings of lionfish were reported in numerous localities. In 2010, the lionfish was considered an invasive alien species, which currently is established in various habitats, at depths up to 188 m, throughout the Cuban archipelago (e.g., coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, submerged artificial structures). In addition, it has reached very high densities (12.42 ind./100 m2), which exceed those reported in the Indo-Pacific as well as in many locations in the Western Atlantic. It has been confirmed that the lionfish in Cuba also presents numerous characteristics that guarantee its success as an invader, among them: less quantity and diversity of parasites than other Atlantic fishes found in similar environments, a high number of gametes in the gonads, reproductive activity during all year and wide diet. The most important fish families for the lionfish diet in Cuba have been Pomacentridae, Gobiidae, Scaridae, Holocentridae, Mullidae, Labridae and Acanthuridae; and the most important crustacean orders are Decapoda, Mysida, Stomatopoda and Isopoda. In Cuba, as in the entire invaded region, numerous investigations have been directed to evaluate the impact of this invader on ecosystems, and although there is enough information, their results differ. Additional studies are required to assess the impact of lionfish as a predator after several years of invasion on a larger geographic scale in Cuba and other areas of the region. This knowledge will allow the development of more effective control strategies. Periodic lionfish culling have been carried out in Cuban MPAs as a control strategy, and some positive results have been observed, such as the average size reduction; however, further efforts are still required. Due to the importance of the study of lionfish as an invader, this review is a necessity as it provides, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of lionfish information and results from Cuba, which is adequately contrasted with previous studies of other areas, particularly, from the Greater Caribbean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura del Río
- Center for Marine Research, Universidad de La Habana, La Habana, Cuba
| | | | - Dorka Cobián-Rojas
- Guanahacabibes National Park, Center of Research and Evironmental Services, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Pinar de Río, Cuba
| | | | | | - Leandro Rodriguez-Viera
- Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar (CEIMAR), University of Cadiz, Puerto Real, Cadiz, Spain
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2
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Behrens JW, Ryberg MP, Einberg H, Eschbaum R, Florin AB, Grygiel W, Herrmann JP, Huwer B, Hüssy K, Knospina E, Nõomaa K, Oesterwind D, Polte P, Smoliński S, Ustups D, van Deurs M, Ojaveer H. Seasonal depth distribution and thermal experience of the non-indigenous round goby Neogobius melanostomus in the Baltic Sea: implications to key trophic relations. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02662-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractNative to the Ponto-Caspian region, the benthic round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has invaded several European inland waterbodies as well as the North American Great Lakes and the Baltic Sea. The species is capable of reaching very high densities in the invaded ecosystems, with not only evidence for significant food-web effects on the native biota and habitats, but also negative implications to coastal fishers. Although generally considered a coastal species, it has been shown that round goby migrate to deeper areas of the Great Lakes and other inland lakes during the cold season. Such seasonal movements may create new spatio-temporal ecosystem consequences in invaded systems. To seek evidence for seasonal depth distribution in coastal marine habitats, we compiled all available catch data for round goby in the Baltic Sea since its invasion and until 2017. We furthermore related the depths at capture for each season with the ambient thermal environment. The round goby spend autumn and winter at significantly deeper and offshore areas compared to spring and summer months; few fish were captured at depths < 25 m in these colder months. Similarly, in spring and summer, round goby were not captured at depths > 25 m. The thermal conditions at which round goby were caught varied significantly between seasons, being on average 18.3 °C during summer, and dropping to a low 3.8 °C during winter months. Overall, the fish sought the depths within each season with the highest possible temperatures. The spatial distribution of the round goby substantially overlaps with that of its main and preferred prey (mussels) and with that of its competitor for food (flatfish), but only moderately with the coastal predatory fish (perch), indicating thereby very complex trophic interactions associated with this invasion. Further investigations should aim at quantifying the food web consequences and coupling effects between different habitats related to seasonal migrations of the round goby, both in terms of the species as a competitor, predator and prey.
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3
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Pushing the switch: functional responses and prey switching by invasive lionfish may mediate their ecological impact. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02487-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractBiodiversity is declining on a global scale and the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) is a major driver, particularly through predatory impacts. Thus, effective means of assessing and predicting the consequences of IAS predation on native prey population stability remains a vital goal for conservation. Here, we applied two classic ecological concepts, consumer functional response (FR) and prey switching, to predict and understand the ecological impacts of juveniles of the lionfish (Pterois volitans), a notorious and widespread marine invader. Functional responses and prey switching propensities were quantified towards three representative prey species: Artemia salina, Palaemonetes varians, and Gammarus oceanicus. Lionfish exhibited potentially destabilising Type II FRs towards individual prey species, owing to high consumption rates at low prey densities, whilst FR magnitudes differed among prey species. Functional response attack rates (a) were highest, and handling times (h) lowest, towards A. salina, followed by P. varians and then G. oceanicus. Maximum feeding rates (1/h) and functional response ratios (FRR; a/h) also followed this impact gradient for the three prey species. Lionfish, however, displayed a potentially population stabilising prey switching propensity (i.e. frequency-dependent predation) when multiple prey species were presented simultaneously, where disproportionately less of rare prey, and more of abundant prey, were consumed. Whilst FR and FRR magnitudes indicate marked per capita lionfish predatory impacts towards prey species, a strong prey switching propensity may reduce in-field impacts by offering low density prey refuge in biodiverse communities. Our results thus corroborate field patterns documenting variable impacts of lionfish, with prey extirpations less likely in diverse communities owing to frequency-dependent predation.
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4
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Harris HE, Fogg AQ, Gittings SR, Ahrens RNM, Allen MS, Patterson Iii WF. Testing the efficacy of lionfish traps in the northern Gulf of Mexico. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230985. [PMID: 32845879 PMCID: PMC7449463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spearfishing is currently the primary approach for removing invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) to mitigate their impacts on western Atlantic marine ecosystems, but a substantial portion of lionfish spawning biomass is beyond the depth limits of SCUBA divers. Innovative technologies may offer a means to target deepwater populations and allow for the development of a lionfish trap fishery, but the removal efficiency and potential environmental impacts of lionfish traps have not been evaluated. We tested a collapsible, non-containment trap (the ‘Gittings trap’) near artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. A total of 327 lionfish and 28 native fish (four were species protected with regulations) recruited (i.e., were observed within the trap footprint at the time of retrieval) to traps during 82 trap sets, catching 144 lionfish and 29 native fish (one more than recruited, indicating detection error). Lionfish recruitment was highest for single (versus paired) traps deployed <15 m from reefs with a 1-day soak time, for which mean lionfish and native fish recruitment per trap were approximately 5 and 0.1, respectively. Lionfish from traps were an average of 19 mm or 62 grams larger than those caught spearfishing. Community impacts from Gittings traps appeared minimal given that recruitment rates were >10X higher for lionfish than native fishes and that traps did not move on the bottom during two major storm events, although further testing will be necessary to test trap movement with surface floats. Additional research should also focus on design and operational modifications to improve Gittings trap deployment success (68% successfully opened on the seabed) and reduce lionfish escapement (56% escaped from traps upon retrieval). While removal efficiency for lionfish demonstrated by traps (12–24%) was far below that of spearfishing, Gittings traps appear suitable for future development and testing on deepwater natural reefs, which constitute >90% of the region’s reef habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holden E Harris
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.,Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Alexander Q Fogg
- Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stephen R Gittings
- Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Robert N M Ahrens
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Micheal S Allen
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.,Nature Coast Biological Station, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Cedar Key, Florida, United States of America
| | - William F Patterson Iii
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
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5
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Effect of early exposure to predation on risk perception and survival of fish exposed to a non-native predator. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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6
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Tamburello N, Ma BO, Côté IM. From individual movement behaviour to landscape-scale invasion dynamics and management: a case study of lionfish metapopulations. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180057. [PMID: 31352886 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Modelling the dynamics of small, interconnected populations, or metapopulations, can help pinpoint habitat patches that are critical for population persistence in patchy habitats. For conservation purposes, these patches are typically earmarked for protection, but for invasive species management, these patches could be targeted to hasten the populations' demise. Here, we show how metapopulation modelling, coupled with an understanding of size-dependent dispersal behaviour, can be used to help optimize the distribution of limited resources for culling specific populations of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the western Atlantic. Through simulation using fitted model parameters, we derive three insights that can inform management. First, culling lionfish from target patches reduces the probability of lionfish occupancy at surrounding patches. Second, this effect depends on patch size and connectivity, but is strongest at the local scale and decays with distance. Finally, size-dependent dispersal in lionfish means that size-selective culling can change both a population's size distribution and dispersal potential, with cascading effects on network connectivity, population dynamics and management outcomes. By explicitly considering seascape structure and movement behaviour when allocating effort to the management of invasive species, managers can optimize resource use to improve management outcomes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking behaviour to dynamics of populations and communities: application of novel approaches in behavioural ecology to conservation'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascia Tamburello
- ESSA Technologies Ltd, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3H4.,Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Brian O Ma
- ESSA Technologies Ltd, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3H4
| | - Isabelle M Côté
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
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Green SJ, Dilley ER, Benkwitt CE, Davis ACD, Ingeman KE, Kindinger TL, Tuttle LJ, Hixon MA. Trait‐mediated foraging drives patterns of selective predation by native and invasive coral‐reef fishes. Ecosphere 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J. Green
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6E 4R4 Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
| | - Eric R. Dilley
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology Graduate Program University of Hawai'i Honolulu Hawai‘i 96822 USA
| | - Cassandra E. Benkwitt
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
- Lancaster Environment Centre Lancaster University Lancaster LA14YQ UK
| | - Alexandra C. D. Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta T6E 4R4 Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
| | - Kurt E. Ingeman
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
| | - Tye L. Kindinger
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California 95060 USA
| | - Lillian J. Tuttle
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology University of Hawai'i Kāne'ohe Hawaii 96744 USA
| | - Mark A. Hixon
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
- Department of Biology University of Hawai'i Honolulu Hawai‘i 96822 USA
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8
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Marshak AR, Heck KL, Jud ZR. Ecological interactions between Gulf of Mexico snappers (Teleostei: Lutjanidae) and invasive red lionfish (Pterois volitans). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206749. [PMID: 30383854 PMCID: PMC6211729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) have invaded the western Atlantic, and most recently the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM), at a rapid pace. Given their generalist habitat affinities and diet, and strong ecological overlap with members of the commercially valuable snapper-grouper complex, increased density and abundance of lionfish could result in significant competitive interactions with nGOM commercially important species. We experimentally investigated the intensity of behavioral interactions between lionfish and indigenous, abundant and economically important juvenile nGOM red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), and other increasingly abundant juvenile tropical snapper species (gray snapper—L. griseus and lane snapper—L. synagris) in large outdoor mesocosms to examine snapper vulnerabilities to lionfish competition. When paired with lionfish, red snapper swimming activity (i.e., time swimming and roving around experimental tank or at structure habitat during experiments) was significantly lower than in intraspecific control trials, but gray and lane snapper swimming activities in the presence of lionfish did not significantly differ from their intraspecific controls. Additionally in paired trials, red and lane snapper swimming activities were significantly lower than those of lionfish, while no significant difference in swimming activities was observed between lionfish and gray snapper. We found that red snapper prey consumption rates in the presence of lionfish were significantly lower than in their intraspecific 3-individual control trials, but when paired together no significant differences in prey consumption rates between red snapper and lionfish were observed. When paired with lane or gray snapper, lionfish were observed having comparatively higher prey consumption than snappers, or as observed in lionfish intraspecific 1-individual controls. However, lane and gray snapper consumption rates in the presence of lionfish did not significantly differ from those in intraspecific controls. These findings suggest that competition between juvenile snappers and invasive lionfish may be variable, with lionfish exhibiting differing degrees of competitive dominance and snappers exhibiting partial competitive vulnerability and resistance to lionfish. While the degree of intensity at which these interactions may occur in nGOM reefs may differ from those observed in our findings, this study enables greater understanding of the potential ecological effects of red lionfish on native reef fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R. Marshak
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, AL, United States of America
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kenneth L. Heck
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, AL, United States of America
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL, United States of America
| | - Zachary R. Jud
- Marine Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, United States of America
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9
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Peiffer F, Bejarano S, Palavicini de Witte G, Wild C. Ongoing removals of invasive lionfish in Honduras and their effect on native Caribbean prey fishes. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3818. [PMID: 29062597 PMCID: PMC5650727 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasion of Indo-Pacific lionfish is one of the most pressing concerns in the context of coral reef conservation throughout the Caribbean. Invasive lionfish threaten Caribbean fish communities by feeding on a wide range of native prey species, some of which have high ecological and economic value. In Roatan (Honduras) a local non-governmental organisation (i.e. Roatan Marine Park) trains residents and tourists in the use of spears to remove invasive lionfish. Here, we assess the effectiveness of local removal efforts in reducing lionfish populations. We ask whether reefs subject to relatively frequent removals support more diverse and abundant native fish assemblages compared to sites were no removals take place. Lionfish biomass, as well as density and diversity of native prey species were quantified on reefs subject to regular and no removal efforts. Reefs subject to regular lionfish removals (two to three removals month−1) with a mean catch per unit effort of 2.76 ± 1.72 lionfish fisher−1 h−1 had 95% lower lionfish biomass compared to non-removal sites. Sites subject to lionfish removals supported 30% higher densities of native prey-sized fishes compared to sites subject to no removal efforts. We found no evidence that species richness and diversity of native fish communities differ between removal and non-removal sites. We conclude that opportunistic voluntary removals are an effective management intervention to reduce lionfish populations locally and might alleviate negative impacts of lionfish predation. We recommend that local management and the diving industry cooperate to cost-effectively extend the spatial scale at which removal regimes are currently sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Peiffer
- Coral Reef Ecology Group, Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sonia Bejarano
- Department of Ecology, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Bremen, Germany
| | - Giacomo Palavicini de Witte
- Roatan Marine Park, Roatan, Islas De La Bahia, Honduras.,Current affiliation: Shark Legacy Project, Roatan, Islas De La Bahia, Honduras
| | - Christian Wild
- Coral Reef Ecology Group, Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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10
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Density-dependent colonization and natural disturbance limit the effectiveness of invasive lionfish culling efforts. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1449-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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11
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Usseglio P, Selwyn JD, Downey-Wall AM, Hogan JD. Effectiveness of removals of the invasive lionfish: how many dives are needed to deplete a reef? PeerJ 2017; 5:e3043. [PMID: 28243542 PMCID: PMC5326545 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduced Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) have spread throughout the greater Caribbean and are associated with a number of negative impacts on reef ecosystems. Human interventions, in the form of culling activities, are becoming common to reduce their numbers and mitigate the negative effects associated with the invasion. However, marine managers must often decide how to best allocate limited resources. Previous work has identified the population size thresholds needed to limit the negative impacts of lionfish. Here we develop a framework that allows managers to predict the removal effort required to achieve specific targets (represented as the percent of lionfish remaining on the reef). We found an important trade-off between time spent removing and achieving an increasingly smaller lionfish density. The model used in our suggested framework requires relatively little data to parameterize, allowing its use with already existing data, permitting managers to tailor their culling strategy to maximize efficiency and rate of success.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason D Selwyn
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States
| | - Alan M Downey-Wall
- Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA, United States
| | - J Derek Hogan
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States
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12
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Benkwitt CE. Central‐place foraging and ecological effects of an invasive predator across multiple habitats. Ecology 2016; 97:2729-2739. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra E. Benkwitt
- Department of Integrative Biology Oregon State University Corvallis Oregon 97331 USA
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13
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Chaves LCT, Hall J, Feitosa JLL, Côté IM. Photo-identification as a simple tool for studying invasive lionfish Pterois volitans populations. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 88:800-804. [PMID: 26694077 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Photo-tagging, i.e. using a specific software to match colour patterns on photographs, was tested as a means to identify individual Indo-Pacific Pterois volitans to assist with population and movement studies of this invasive species. The stripe pattern on the flank of adult P. volitans (n = 48) was the most individually distinctive of three body regions tested, leading to correct individual identification on 68 and 82% of tests with a single and two images of the reference individual, respectively. Photo-tagging is inexpensive, logistically simple and can involve citizen scientists, making it a viable alternative to traditional tagging to provide information on P. volitans distribution, movement patterns and recolonization rates after removals.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C T Chaves
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasilia, DF 70040-020, Brazil
- Tropical Conservation Consortium, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, U.S.A
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada
| | - J Hall
- Tropical Conservation Consortium, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, U.S.A
| | - J L L Feitosa
- Tropical Conservation Consortium, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, U.S.A
- Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE 50670-901, Brazil
| | - I M Côté
- Earth to Ocean Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada
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