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McCard M, McCard N, Coughlan NE, South J, Kregting L, Dick JTA. Functional response metrics explain and predict high but differing ecological impacts of juvenile and adult lionfish. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240855. [PMID: 39169969 PMCID: PMC11335401 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Recent accumulation of evidence across taxa indicates that the ecological impacts of invasive alien species are predictable from their functional response (FR; e.g. the maximum feeding rate) and functional response ratio (FRR; the FR attack rate divided by handling time). Here, we experimentally derive these metrics to predict the ecological impacts of both juvenile and adult lionfish (Pterois volitans), one of the world's most damaging invaders, across representative and likely future prey types. Potentially prey-population destabilizing Type II FRs were exhibited by both life stages of lionfish towards four prey species: Artemia salina, Gammarus oceanicus, Palaemonetes varians and Nephrops norvegicus. FR magnitudes revealed ontogenetic shifts in lionfish impacts where juvenile lionfish displayed similar if not higher consumption rates than adult lionfish towards prey, apart from N. norvegicus, where adult consumption rate was considerably higher. Additionally, lionfish FRR values were very substantially higher than mean FRR values across known damaging invasive taxa. Thus, both life stages of lionfish are predicted to contribute to differing but high ecological impacts across prey communities, including commercially important species. With lionfish invasion ranges currently expanding across multiple regions globally, efforts to reduce lionfish numbers and population size structure, with provision of prey refugia through habitat complexity, might curtail their impacts. Nevertheless, the present study indicates that management programmes to support early detection and complete eradication of lionfish individuals when discovered in new regions are advised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica McCard
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, BelfastBT9 5DL, UK
- Queen’s University Marine Laboratory, 12–13 The Strand, PortaferryBT22 1PF, UK
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moore University, Byrom Street, LiverpoolL3 3AF, UK
| | - Nathan McCard
- Queen’s University Marine Laboratory, 12–13 The Strand, PortaferryBT22 1PF, UK
| | - Neil E. Coughlan
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, BelfastBT9 5DL, UK
- Queen’s University Marine Laboratory, 12–13 The Strand, PortaferryBT22 1PF, UK
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, Ireland
| | - Josie South
- Water@Leeds, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Woodhouse, LeedsLS2 9JT, UK
| | - Louise Kregting
- Queen’s University Marine Laboratory, 12–13 The Strand, PortaferryBT22 1PF, UK
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - Jaimie T. A. Dick
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, BelfastBT9 5DL, UK
- Queen’s University Marine Laboratory, 12–13 The Strand, PortaferryBT22 1PF, UK
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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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del Río L, Navarro-Martínez ZM, Ruiz-Abierno A, Chevalier-Monteagudo PP, Angulo-Valdes JA, Rodriguez-Viera L. Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish in the Punta Frances MPA, Cuba: insight into morphological features, diet and management. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14250. [PMID: 36389413 PMCID: PMC9653055 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cuba's shelf has been invaded by lionfish (Pterois volitans/Pterois miles), which have become established over the archipelago, including areas of natural importance. The present study aims to evaluate morphometric features of lionfish and to explore the relationship between lionfish size and diet composition in different habitats in the Punta Frances National Park, Cuba. In total 620 lionfish were captured at 29 sites between 2013 and 2016. Lionfish stomachs were removed and their contents were analyzed using frequency and numerical methods. The length-weight allomentric relationship was obtained, and a decrease in lionfish sizes was shown over time, likely due to the extractions carried out. The diet was composed by fishes, crustaceans, mollusks and phytobenthos, with a predominance of fishes. Lionfish caught in seagrass beds tended to be smaller in size and consumed fewer fishes and more crustaceans than those captured in coral reefs. A positive correlation was observed between lionfish body size and gape size; however, no significant correlation was detected between lionfish body size and prey size. Larger lionfish tended to consume more fishes, while crustaceans were more significant in the diet of juvenile lionfish. This is the first study that examines the feeding habits of lionfish in the Punta Frances MPA, and provides valuable information on lionfish inhabiting this MPA across four years of sampling. Furthermore, this research may serve as a baseline for subsequent evaluations of lionfish impact and management actions in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura del Río
- Center for Marine Research, University of Havana, La Habana, Cuba
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Davis ACD, Akins L, Pollock C, Lundgren I, Johnston MA, Castillo B, Reale‐Munroe K, McDonough V, Moneysmith S, Green SJ. Multiple drivers of invasive lionfish culling efficiency in marine protected areas. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lad Akins
- Frost Museum of Science Miami Florida USA
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation Key Largo Florida USA
| | - Clayton Pollock
- Buck Island Reef National Monument St. Croix Virgin Islands USA
| | - Ian Lundgren
- Buck Island Reef National Monument St. Croix Virgin Islands USA
| | | | - Bernard Castillo
- University of the Virgin Islands Saint Thomas Virgin Islands USA
| | | | | | | | - Stephanie J. Green
- University of Alberta Alberta Canada
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation Key Largo Florida USA
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Johnson EG, Dichiera A, Goldberg D, Swenarton M, Gelsleichter J. Total mercury concentrations in invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) from the Atlantic coast of Florida. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0234534. [PMID: 34547024 PMCID: PMC8454969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems throughout the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The development of a fishery for lionfish has been proposed as a strategy for controlling populations; however, there is concern about consumption of this species by humans due to its high trophic position and potential for bioaccumulation of mercury. We analyzed total mercury (THg) in tissues of lionfish from two locations on the east coast of Florida. THg in lionfish increased with size and differed by location and sex. THg was highest in muscle tissue and was strongly positively correlated among tissues. THg in lionfish was lower than other commonly consumed marine fishes, and falls into Florida's least restrictive advisory level. Consumption of lionfish poses a low risk and concerns over mercury bioaccumulation should not present a significant barrier to lionfish harvest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric G. Johnson
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Angelina Dichiera
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - Danielle Goldberg
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - MaryKate Swenarton
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
| | - James Gelsleichter
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States of America
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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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van den Hurk P, Edhlund I, Davis R, Hahn JJ, McComb MJ, Rogers EL, Pisarski E, Chung K, DeLorenzo M. Lionfish (Pterois volitans) as biomonitoring species for oil pollution effects in coral reef ecosystems. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 156:104915. [PMID: 32174335 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
With oil spills, and other sources of aromatic hydrocarbons, being a continuous threat to coral reef systems, and most reef fish species being protected or difficult to collect, the use of the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) might be a good model species to monitor biomarkers in potentially exposed fish in the Caribbean and western Atlantic. The rapid expansion of lionfish in the Caribbean and western Atlantic, and the unregulated fishing for this species, would make the lionfish a suitable candidate as biomonitoring species for oil pollution effects. However, to date little has been published about the responses of lionfish to environmental pollutants. For this study lionfish were collected in the Florida Keys a few weeks after Hurricane Irma, which sank numerous boats resulting in leaks of oil and fuel, and during the winter and early spring after that. Several biomarkers indicative of exposure to PAHs (bile fluorescence, cytochrome P450-1A induction, glutathione S-transferase activity) were measured. To establish if these biomarkers are inducible in PAH exposed lionfish, dosing experiments with different concentrations of High Energy Water Accommodated Fraction of crude oil were performed. The results revealed no significant effects in the biomarkers in the field collected fish, while the exposure experiments demonstrated that lionfish did show strong effects in the measured biomarkers, even at the lowest concentration tested (0.3% HEWAF, or 25 μg/l ƩPAH50). Based on its widespread distribution, relative ease of collection, and significant biomarker responses in the controlled dosing experiment, it is concluded that lionfish has good potential to be used as a standardized biomonitoring species for oil pollution in its neotropical realm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter van den Hurk
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA; Graduate Program in Environmental Toxicology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
| | - Ian Edhlund
- Graduate Program in Environmental Toxicology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Ryan Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Jacob J Hahn
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, College of Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Michel J McComb
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Rogers
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | | | | | - Marie DeLorenzo
- NOAA, National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Charleston, SC, USA
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MAJI BANAMALI, TIWARI PANKAJKUMAR, SAMANTA SUDIP, PAL SAMARES, BONA FRANCESCA. EFFECT OF TIME DELAY IN A CANNIBALISTIC STAGE-STRUCTURED PREDATOR–PREY MODEL WITH HARVESTING OF AN ADULT PREDATOR: THE CASE OF LIONFISH. J BIOL SYST 2019. [DOI: 10.1142/s0218339019500189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The progressive and increasing invasion of an opportunistic predator, the lionfish (Pterois volitans) has become a major threat for the delicate coral-reef ecosystem. The herbivore fish populations, in particular of Parrotfish, are taking the consequences of the lionfish invasion and then their control function on macro-algae growth is threatened. In this paper, we developed and analyzed a stage-structured mathematical model including P. volitans (lionfish), a cannibalistic predator, and a Parrotfish, its potential prey. As control upon the over predation, a rational harvest term has been considered. Further, to make the system more realistic, a delay in the growth rate of juvenile P. volitans population has been incorporated. We performed a global sensitivity analysis to identify important parameters of the system having significant correlations with the fishes. We observed that the system generates transcritical bifurcation, which takes the P. volitans-free equilibrium to the coexistence equilibrium on increasing the values of predation rate of adult P. volitans on Parrotfish. Further increase in the values of the predation rate of adult P. volitans on Parrotfish drives the system into Hopf bifurcation, which induces oscillation around the coexistence equilibrium. Moreover, the conversion efficiency due to cannibalism also has the property to alter the stability behavior of the system through Hopf bifurcation. The effect of time delay on the dynamics of the system is extensively studied and it is observed that the system develops chaotic dynamics through period-doubling oscillations for large values of time delay. However, if the system is already oscillatory, then the large values of time delay causes extinction of P. volitans from the system. To illustrate the occurrence of chaotic dynamics in the system, we drew the Poincaré map and also computed the Lyapunov exponents.
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Affiliation(s)
- BANAMALI MAJI
- Department of Mathematics, Nayagram Pandit Raghunath Murmu Government College, Nayagram, Baligeria, Jhargram – 721125, India
| | | | - SUDIP SAMANTA
- Department of Mathematics, Bankura University, Bankura – 722155, West Bengal, India
| | - SAMARES PAL
- Department of Mathematics, University of Kalyani, Kalyani – 741235, India
| | - FRANCESCA BONA
- DBIOS, University of Turin, via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
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Villaseñor-Derbez JC, Fitzgerald S. Spatial variation in allometric growth of invasive lionfish has management implications. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6667. [PMID: 30972253 PMCID: PMC6450370 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) are an invasive species in the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean. Improving management of invasive lionfish populations requires accurate total biomass estimates, which depend on accurate estimates of allometric growth; sedentary species like lionfish often exhibit high levels of spatial variation in life history characteristics. We reviewed 17 published length-weight relationships for lionfish taken throughout their invasive range and found regional differences that led to significant misestimates when calculating weight from length observations. The spatial pattern we observed is consistent with findings from other studies focused on genetics or length-at-age. Here, the use of ex situ parameter values resulted in total biomass estimates between 76.2% and 140% of true observed biomass, and up to a threefold under- or overestimation of total weight for an individual organism. These findings can have implications for management in terms of predicting effects on local ecosystems, evaluating the effectiveness of removal programs, or estimating biomass available for harvest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Villaseñor-Derbez
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America
| | - Sean Fitzgerald
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America
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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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Bryan DR, Blondeau J, Siana A, Ault JS. Regional differences in an established population of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish ( Pterois volitans and P. miles) in south Florida. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5700. [PMID: 30324014 PMCID: PMC6186158 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
About nine years ago (circa 2009), Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) invaded the south Florida coral reef ecosystem. During the intervening period of time, there has been substantial research on their biology, life history, demography, and habitat preferences; however, little is known concerning their regional population status and trends in the region. Here, we use a large-scale fisheries independent reef fish visual survey to investigate lionfish population status among three south Florida regions: Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys, and southeast Florida. Density estimates (ind ha−1) have been relatively stable since 2012, and are lower than other areas reported in the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Low, stable population densities in south Florida suggest there may be a natural mechanism for lionfish population control. In the Dry Tortugas, lionfish density in 2016 was significantly lower (0.6 ind ha−1 ± 0.15 SE) than the two other south Florida regions. The Dry Tortugas region has the highest percentage of marine protected areas, the lowest level of exploitation, and thus the highest densities of potential lionfish predators and competitors. In the Florida Keys and southeast Florida in 2016, lionfish densities were greater (5.4 ind ha−1 ± 1.0 SE and 9.0 ± 2.7 SE, respectively) than the Dry Tortugas. Fishing pressure on lionfish was higher in these two regions, but densities of several potential predators and competitors were substantially lower. Despite relatively low regional lionfish densities that can be attributed to some combination of fishing mortality and natural biocontrol, lionfish are still well established in the south Florida coral reef ecosystem, warranting continued concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Bryan
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America.,Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jeremiah Blondeau
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Ashley Siana
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Jerald S Ault
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
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Ojaveer H, Galil BS, Carlton JT, Alleway H, Goulletquer P, Lehtiniemi M, Marchini A, Miller W, Occhipinti-Ambrogi A, Peharda M, Ruiz GM, Williams SL, Zaiko A. Historical baselines in marine bioinvasions: Implications for policy and management. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202383. [PMID: 30114232 PMCID: PMC6095587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The human-mediated introduction of marine non-indigenous species is a centuries- if not millennia-old phenomenon, but was only recently acknowledged as a potent driver of change in the sea. We provide a synopsis of key historical milestones for marine bioinvasions, including timelines of (a) discovery and understanding of the invasion process, focusing on transfer mechanisms and outcomes, (b) methodologies used for detection and monitoring, (c) approaches to ecological impacts research, and (d) management and policy responses. Early (until the mid-1900s) marine bioinvasions were given little attention, and in a number of cases actively and routinely facilitated. Beginning in the second half of the 20th century, several conspicuous non-indigenous species outbreaks with strong environmental, economic, and public health impacts raised widespread concerns and initiated shifts in public and scientific perceptions. These high-profile invasions led to policy documents and strategies to reduce the introduction and spread of non-indigenous species, although with significant time lags and limited success and focused on only a subset of transfer mechanisms. Integrated, multi-vector management within an ecosystem-based marine management context is urgently needed to address the complex interactions of natural and human pressures that drive invasions in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henn Ojaveer
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Pärnu, Estonia
| | - Bella S. Galil
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - James T. Carlton
- Maritime Studies Program of Williams College and Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Heidi Alleway
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Maiju Lehtiniemi
- Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Agnese Marchini
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Whitman Miller
- Marine Invasion Research Laboratory, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | | | - Gregory M. Ruiz
- Marine Invasion Research Laboratory, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Susan L. Williams
- Bodega Marine Laboratory and Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California at Davis, Bodega Bay, California, United States of America
| | - Anastasija Zaiko
- Coastal and Freshwater Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
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13
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Peake J, Bogdanoff AK, Layman CA, Castillo B, Reale-Munroe K, Chapman J, Dahl K, Patterson III WF, Eddy C, Ellis RD, Faletti M, Higgs N, Johnston MA, Muñoz RC, Sandel V, Villasenor-Derbez JC, Morris JA. Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) in the temperate and tropical western Atlantic. Biol Invasions 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-018-1720-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Selwyn JD, Johnson JE, Downey-Wall AM, Bynum AM, Hamner RM, Hogan JD, Bird CE. Simulations indicate that scores of lionfish ( Pterois volitans) colonized the Atlantic Ocean. PeerJ 2018; 5:e3996. [PMID: 29302383 PMCID: PMC5740958 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasion of the western Atlantic Ocean by the Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) has had devastating consequences for marine ecosystems. Estimating the number of colonizing lionfish can be useful in identifying the introduction pathway and can inform policy decisions aimed at preventing similar invasions. It is well-established that at least ten lionfish were initially introduced. However, that estimate has not faced probabilistic scrutiny and is based solely on the number of haplotypes in the maternally-inherited mitochondrial control region. To rigorously estimate the number of lionfish that were introduced, we used a forward-time, Wright-Fisher, population genetic model in concert with a demographic, life-history model to simulate the invasion across a range of source population sizes and colonizing population fecundities. Assuming a balanced sex ratio and no Allee effects, the simulations indicate that the Atlantic population was founded by 118 (54–514, 95% HPD) lionfish from the Indo-Pacific, the Caribbean by 84 (22–328, 95% HPD) lionfish from the Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico by at least 114 (no upper bound on 95% HPD) lionfish from the Caribbean. Increasing the size, and therefore diversity, of the Indo-Pacific source population and fecundity of the founding population caused the number of colonists to decrease, but with rapidly diminishing returns. When the simulation was parameterized to minimize the number of colonists (high θ and relative fecundity), 96 (48–216, 95% HPD) colonists were most likely. In a more realistic scenario with Allee effects (e.g., 50% reduction in fecundity) plaguing the colonists, the most likely number of lionfish increased to 272 (106–950, 95% HPD). These results, in combination with other published data, support the hypothesis that lionfish were introduced to the Atlantic via the aquarium trade, rather than shipping. When building the model employed here, we made assumptions that minimize the number of colonists, such as the lionfish being introduced in a single event. While we conservatively modelled the introduction pathway as a single release of lionfish in one location, it is more likely that a combination of smaller and larger releases from a variety of aquarium trade stakeholders occurred near Miami, Florida, which could have led to even larger numbers of colonists than simulated here. Efforts to prevent future invasions via the aquarium trade should focus on the education of stakeholders and the prohibition of release, with adequate rewards for compliance and penalties for violations.
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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 of America
| | - John E Johnson
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America
| | - Alan M Downey-Wall
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America.,Marine Science Center, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA, United States of America
| | - Adam M Bynum
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America
| | - Rebecca M Hamner
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America
| | - J Derek Hogan
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America
| | - Christopher E Bird
- HoBi Lab, Department of Life Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, United States of America.,Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, Hawai'i, United States of America
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15
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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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16
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Graham RE, Fanning LM. A comparison of eight country plans for the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Wider Caribbean. Glob Ecol Conserv 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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