DOCSLIB.ORG

Management Implications of the Influence of Biological Variability of Invasive Lionfish Diet in Belize

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Management Implications of the Influence of Biological Variability of Invasive Lionfish Diet in Belize Management of Biological Invasions (2017) Volume 8, Issue 1: 61–70 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2017.8.1.06 Open Access © 2017 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2017 REABIC Research Article Management implications of the influence of biological variability of invasive lionfish diet in Belize Me’ira Mizrahi1,*, Jennifer K. Chapman1, Charlotte L.A. Gough1, Frances Humber1 and Lucy G. Anderson2 1Blue Ventures Conservation, Omnibus Business Centre, 39-41 North Road, London, N7 9DP, UK 2Independent Researcher, Bath, UK *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] Received: 4 April 2016 / Accepted: 27 October 2016 / Published online: 9 December 2016 Handling editor: Amy Fowler Abstract With a voracious appetite for juvenile fish and invertebrates, invasive alien red lionfish (Pterois volitans) constitute one of the greatest threats to the Caribbean’s coral reefs. Although the eradication of lionfish is no longer considered possible, population suppression to site-specific densities can allow native fish populations to recover. Understanding the diet of lionfish in invaded areas is critical to understanding local impacts they pose to coral reef communities. This study explored the diet of lionfish in the northern end of the Belize Barrier Reef and tested whether biological variables (size, sex or reproductive stage) affect the diversity and/or abundance of prey species consumed. Between 2011 and 2014, 1023 lionfish were dissected and their gut contents analysed in the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve. Gut contents analyses revealed that large sized lionfish consumed the highest abundance of prey (Mean (M)= 3.27 prey items) compared to small (M= 1.74 prey items) and medium (M= 3.15 prey items) lionfish, and that reproductive females consumed a higher abundance of prey (M= 3.66) compared to non-reproductive females of the same size (M= 2.85). As we found that medium and large lionfish are generalist predators and feed on a diverse assemblage of prey items, the effects of lionfish on the biomass of any one species may be reduced. This may enable individual prey species to have relatively stable abundances, although this hypothesis bears further testing. If management efforts are focused on improving a site-specific population of an individual prey species, such as an endemic or threatened fish, it is important to include removal efforts of small lionfish, particularly if they inhabit the same niche habitat. However, we recommend that existing lionfish focused cull dives continue using non-size discriminatory methods in order to account for site-specific, ecologically and commercially important prey items and to deter the likelihood of a successful invasion. Key words: Pterois volitans, Caribbean, coral reef; invasive species, prey diversity The invasion of lionfish is one of the first cases in Introduction which an introduced marine fish has become a key invasive threat. As such, it has been recognized as Native to the Indo-Pacific, the red lionfish (Pterois one of the Caribbean’s principal conservation concerns volitans Linnaeus, 1758) is now firmly established (Albins and Hixon 2013; Dahl and Patterson 2014; in the waters of the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, Sutherland et al. 2010). Invasive alien lionfish in and its range continues to expand throughout much New Providence, Bahamas have been reported at of the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic densities greater than 390 lionfish per hectare (Green Ocean and Caribbean Sea (Morris 2009; Schofield and Côté 2008), more than eight times greater than 2010). Following the first documented sighting in in their indigenous range within the Red Sea (47.9 Turneffe Atoll, Belize in 2008 (Searle et al. 2012), lionfish per hectare) (McTee and Grubich 2014). In alien lionfish have expanded their range throughout other invaded areas of the Caribbean, high growth the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System UNESCO and reproduction rates have also being reported, with World Heritage Site (UNESCO 1996). lionfish reproducing year round and in excess of 61 M. Mizrahi et al. two-million eggs per female per year (Morris 2009; established in the BCMR and have increased in size Morris and Akins 2009). and abundance during four subsequent years of The successful invasion of the lionfish has been monitoring (Chapman et al. 2016). attributed, in part, to a generalist diet (Dahl and The additional threat to fish and invertebrate Patterson 2014; Layman and Allgeier 2012). In their populations posed by lionfish is particularly concer- native habitat, lionfish feed primarily on fish, crabs ning to the BCMR ecosystem. The overall reef health and shrimp (Fishelson 1997; Sano et al. 1987), though in the BCMR is considered to be “poor” (Chapman occasionally on other invertebrates such as isopods 2013). A combination of decreased mean hard coral and gastropods (Harmelin-Vivien and Bouchon 1976). cover (18% in 2004 (Garcia-Salgado et al. 2008) to Lionfish gut analyses in the Bahamas revealed a 9% in 2013 (Chapman 2013), dominance of fleshy typical diet consisting of small reef fishes, particularly macro algae (23% in 2013), critically low long- gobies (Gobiidae), wrass (Labridae) and basselets spined sea urchin (Diadema sp.) populations (key (Grammatidae) (Albins and Hixon 2013; Morris and reef grazers and bioeroders) (Chapman 2013) and Akins 2009). Other reported lionfish prey items in low reef fish diversity (Chapman 2013) has placed invaded ranges include parrotfish, an ecologically the BCMR on alert status since 2004 (Garcia- important herbivore known for preventing the domi- Salgado et al. 2008). nance of algae on coral reefs (Albins and Hixon 2008; Given the outstanding ecological and economic Albins and Hixon 2013; Layman and Allgeier 2012; value of the Belize Barrier Reef and its resources, Rotjan and Lewis 2006). Lionfish also demonstrate a there is an urgent need to develop systems for the range of morphometric characteristics and behaviours, effective management of invasive alien lionfish such as cryptic coloration, elongated fin rays and (Barbour et al. 2011; Gongora 2012). The total defensive venomous spines, that are unfamiliar to estimated value of fisheries, tourism and shoreline native fish prey in their invasive range, giving them protection services in Belize’s coral reef and mang- a competitive advantage over native piscivores roves is US$ 395–559 million per year (2008 value) (Albins 2013; Albins and Hixon 2013; Albins and (Nuenninghoff et al. 2015). Belize attracts up to Lyons 2012). The overfishing of competitor meso- 294,000 tourists annually (2013 data), (World Bank predators in the West Atlantic, such as small-bodied 2016), many of whom visit the Belize Barrier Reef, groupers, has further contributed to the availability making tourism the greatest foreign exchange earner of potential prey species (Farmer and Karnauskas in the country (CIA 2015; Diedrich 2007). 2013; Whitfield et al. 2007). Existing lionfish removal efforts in many invaded In addition, lionfish invasions can impact ecosystems centre around culls conducted by recrea- community structure. Bahamian reefs invaded by tional SCUBA divers who target lionfish with spears lionfish displayed significantly lower native coral reef or hooks (Nuttall 2014; Pitt and Tammy 2013). fish community recruitment rates compared to un- Although many dive operations take part in con- invaded reefs (Albins 2013). The presence of lionfish trolled culls, they often lack sufficient time, funds or caused a reduction in native reef fish abundance— labour to conduct removals at a level that is eco- 2.5 times that of a similarly sized native piscivores— logically effective (Pitt and Tammy 2013). In addition, as well as a reduction in reef fish species richness lionfish residing in deeper, mesophotic habitats (Albins 2013). In addition, in these same reef systems, remain below the limit of recreation SCUBA divers a single lionfish reduced native coral reef fish (Nuttall 2014). Although eradication of lionfish is no recruitment rates by up to 79% in five weeks (Albins longer considered possible due to the broad geogra- and Hixon 2008). Such a decline in reef fish popu- phic extent of the invasion, population suppression to lations could in turn lead to declines in commercially site-specific threshold densities can protect native important fish species such as groupers, snappers fish communities from lionfish-induced community and goatfishes (Albins and Hixon 2013), or a shift in biomass declines (Green et al. 2014). If lionfish the diet of lionfish to other prey items such as populations are to be suppressed in the long term, a invertebrates (Layman et al. 2014). more efficient management approach is required. The first confirmed report of a red lionfish in This study explores the diet of lionfish in the Belize was in December 2008 (Schofield 2009). BCMR in order to understand the local impacts posed Although accurate estimates of the lionfish popula- to coral reef communities. The aim of this study is to tion in Belize are deficient, lionfish sighting data identify the diversity and abundance of prey species collected from the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve targeted by lionfish in Belize and to test whether (BCMR), in the northern end of the Belize Barrier prey consumption varies with lionfish size, sex, or Reef, since 2010 suggest that lionfish are firmly reproductive stage. 62 Lionfish diet in Belize Figure 1. Map of the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve (BCMR) Showing Preservation Zone (PZ); Conservation Zone 1(CZ1); General Use Zone 1 (GUZ1); Conservation Zone 2 (CZ2); General Use Zone 2 (GUZ2). Methods tail) to the nearest 10 mm. All dives took place between the hours of 06:30 and 18:00 during every Ethics statement month of the calendar year between 2011 and 2014, Blue Ventures has a research permit under the Belize including both the wet (June to November) and dry Fisheries Department, and Blue Ventures’ staff hold (December to May) seasons. Dives took place within lionfish hunting licenses that permit research on and 24 dive sites throughout the BCMR to a maximum culling of lionfish on SCUBA dives within the depth of 30m.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Red Lionfish
    N. Carolina Aquarium at Ft. Fisher N. Carolina Aquarium at Ft. Fisher COMMON NAME: Red lionfish SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pterois volitans (Linnaeus 1758) NATIVE DISTRIBUTION: Western Pacific from southern Japan to Micronesia, Australia and the Philippines; also throughout most of Oceania (including the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and Fiji) east to French Polynesia. U.S. distribution: Established along the Atlantic coast from southern Florida to New York, including Bermuda. Habitat: The lionfish inhabits reefs from about 10 to 175 m deep. As juveniles, lionfish live in small groups, but as adults they typically occur alone. Individuals are relatively inactive during the day, typically sheltering U.S. Geological Survey Geological U.S. in reef crevices. Life cycle: Red lionfish are external fertilizers that produce a pelagic egg mass following a courtship and mating process that is not well documented. Like many reef fishes, red lionfish larvae are planktonic. After a few weeks in the plankton stage, larvae settle onto reefs as juveniles. Cool facts: • The red lionfish is a solitary predator of small fishes, shrimps and crabs. • Prey are stalked and cornered or made to feel so by the outstretched and expanded pectoral fins of the red lionfish in full ambush mode. • Prey are ultimately obtained with a lightning-quick snap of the jaws and swallowed whole. • Cannibalism has been observed for this species. • Unlike most scorpionfish with their camouflage markings, the lionfish has greatly extended fin spines and striking colors. Pathways of invasion: Aquarium releases and pet fish liberated during storm events such as hurricanes. AQUATIC INVADERS A Sea Grant/AZA Partnership 1 RED LIONFISH Pterois volitans Impacts: The introduction of the red lionfish to marine waters of the Atlantic off the eastern coast of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Modeling Suitable Habitat of Invasive Red Lionfish Pterois Volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) in North and South America’S Coastal Waters
    Aquatic Invasions (2016) Volume 11, Issue 3: 313–326 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/ai.2016.11.3.09 Open Access © 2016 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2016 REABIC Research Article Modeling suitable habitat of invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) in North and South America’s coastal waters 1 1, 2 3 Paul H. Evangelista , Nicholas E. Young *, Pamela J. Schofield and Catherine S. Jarnevich 1 Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA 2 US Geological Survey, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA 3 US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] Received: 9 October 2015 / Accepted: 11 April 2016 / Published online: 5 May 2016 Handling editor: Charles Martin Abstract We used two common correlative species-distribution models to predict suitable habitat of invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and the Maximum Entropy (Maxent) model were applied using the Software for Assisted Habitat Modeling. We compared models developed using native occurrences, using non-native occurrences, and using both native and non-native occurrences. Models were trained using occurrence data collected before 2010 and evaluated with occurrence data collected from the invaded range during or after 2010. We considered a total of 22 marine environmental variables. Models built with non-native only or both native and non-native occurrence data outperformed those that used only native occurrences. Evaluation metrics based on the independent test data were highest for models that used both native and non-native occurrences.
    [Show full text]
  • When Invasive Species Become the Meal Is Dining on Nature’S Predators an Act of Environmentalism — Or Just a New Way for Humans to Bend the World to Our Will?
    At restaurants, Asian shore crabs — an invasive species known to curb the populations of lobster and other shellfish — are sometimes served deep-fried. Kyoko Hamada FOOD MATTERS When Invasive Species Become the Meal Is dining on nature’s predators an act of environmentalism — or just a new way for humans to bend the world to our will? By Ligaya Mishan Photographs by Kyoko Hamada Oct. 2, 2020 ON THE PLATE, the red lionfish looks benign, denuded of its grand mohawk of venomous spines, cut down into neat fillets, floured and flopped in a hot pan with white wine and capers, then brought to the table leaking butter. Its flesh is as white as a snapper’s, delicate and faintly sweet. To eat it seems more like decadence than righteousness. But the same fish is considered a menace in the Atlantic. Up to 20 inches long when fully grown and striated in cream and rust, it wobbles underwater with that dorsal mohawk and gauzy pectoral fins fanned out on either side, suggesting a feathered headdress set adrift, dreaming its way through life, until it backs its prey up against the reef and snaps. Its hunger is legend: The predator has been known to graze on more than 50 species, and its stomach can inflate to 30 times its natural size to accommodate its feasts, which sometimes equal 90 percent of its body weight. THE T LIST: A weekly roundup of what the editors of T Magazine are Sign Up noticing and coveting right now. Appetite alone is not a crime, of course.
    [Show full text]
  • Invasive Red Lionfish Pterois Volitans Blow Directed Jets of Water at Prey Fish
    Vol. 448: 1–5, 2012 MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published February 23 doi: 10.3354/meps09580 Mar Ecol Prog Ser OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS FEATURE ARTICLE: NOTE Invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans blow directed jets of water at prey fish Mark A. Albins1,*, Patrick J. Lyons2 1Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA 2Department of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY at Stony Brook, 650 Life Sciences Building, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA ABSTRACT: Field and laboratory observations of feeding by invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois voli- tans were conducted during June through August of 2008, 2009 and 2010 near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Observations of this invasive marine predator revealed a previously undocumented pis- civorous behavior. While slowly approaching prey fish, lionfish produce jets of water directed toward their prey. These jets may confuse or distract prey, and often result in prey fish facing the attacking lion- fish, increasing the probability of head-first capture and swallowing. While a variety of fishes are re - ported to create directed water jets, to our knowl- edge, this is the first report of a fish that does so during the capture of fish prey. This behavior may confer a high degree of predatory efficiency, and thus con- tribute to the dramatic success of this Pacific invader of tropical Western Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs. KEY WORDS: Lionfish · Invasive species · Predation · Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans in a seagrass bed in the Piscivory · Prey naïveté · Marine fishes Bahamas. Resale or republication not permitted without Photo: Timothy J. Pusack, Oregon State University written consent of the publisher INTRODUCTION may confer a high degree of predatory efficiency and contribute to the dramatic success of this invasion.
    [Show full text]
  • Managing Invasive Lionfish in Belize's Marine Protected Areas
    blu@ ventut�� beyond conservation Managing invasive lionfish in Belize's Marine Protected Areas Fabian C. Kyne, Jennifer K. Chapman, Stephanie J. Green, Anna L. Simmons, Charlotte L.A. Gough July 2020 Recommended citation Kyne FK, Chapman JK, Green SJ, Simmons AL & Gough CLA (2020) Managing Invasive Lionfish In Belize’s Marine Protected Areas. Blue Ventures Conservation Report, 50 pages. All photos © Blue Ventures unless indicated otherwise. Acknowledgements Funders: MAR Fund, Summit Foundation Field support: Chuck and Robby’s, Blue Sea, Tranquility Bay Resort, Brujula, Belize Fisheries Department, Blue Ventures Expeditions, FAMRACC, TIDE Field surveys led by: Anna Simmons Data collected by: Tanya Barona, Genevieve Ramirez and Fernando Robateau (TIDE), Eli Romero (Belize Audubon Society), Anna Simmons, Julia Rubin, Anouk Neuhaus, Marc Fruitema, Daniela Escontrela, Jennifer Chapman (Blue Ventures), Elias Cantun, Henry Brown and Ali Cansino (Belize Fisheries Department), Ellen McRae (FAMRACC) Data analysis and report preparation: Fabian Kyne, Jennifer Chapman, Lucy Anderson, Rosie Williams (Blue Ventures), Fanny Tricone (independent) Abbreviations BCMR – Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve CCMR – Caye Caulker Marine Reserve GUZ – General Use Zone HCMR – Hol Chan Marine Reserve IAS – Invasive Alien Species LFS – Lionfish Focused Search MPA – Marine Protected Area NTZ – No Take Zone PHMR – Port Honduras Marine Reserve SWCMR – South Water Caye Marine Reserve 2 Table of contents Recommended citation 2 Acknowledgements 2 Abbreviations 2 Table of contents
    [Show full text]
  • Parasites from the Red Lionfish, Pterois Volitans from the Gulf of Mexico
    Gulf and Caribbean Research Volume 27 Issue 1 2016 Parasites from the Red Lionfish, Pterois volitans from the Gulf of Mexico Alexander Q. Fogg Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, [email protected] Carlos F. Ruiz Auburn University, [email protected] Stephen S. Curran The University of Southern Mississippi, [email protected] Stephen A. Bullard Auburn University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr Part of the Biodiversity Commons, Marine Biology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Fogg, A. Q., C. F. Ruiz, S. S. Curran and S. A. Bullard. 2016. Parasites from the Red Lionfish, Pterois volitans from the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf and Caribbean Research 27 (1): SC1-SC5. Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/vol27/iss1/7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18785/gcr.2701.07 This Short Communication is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gulf and Caribbean Research by an authorized editor of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. VOLUME 25 VOLUME GULF AND CARIBBEAN Volume 25 RESEARCH March 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS GULF AND CARIBBEAN SAND BOTTOM MICROALGAL PRODUCTION AND BENTHIC NUTRIENT FLUXES ON THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO NEARSHORE SHELF RESEARCH Jeffrey G. Allison, M. E. Wagner, M. McAllister, A. K. J. Ren, and R. A. Snyder....................................................................................1—8 WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT SPECIES RICHNESS AND DISTRIBUTION ON THE OUTER—SHELF SOUTH TEXAS BANKS? Harriet L. Nash, Sharon J. Furiness, and John W.
    [Show full text]
  • Pterois Volitans, on the Coast of Tabasco, Mexico
    Hidrobiológica 2015, 25 (2): 307-309 NOTAS Agosto 2015 First record of the red lionfish,Pterois volitans, on the coast of Tabasco, Mexico Primer reporte del pez león, Pterois volitans, en la costa de Tabasco, México Armando T. Wakida-Kusunoki1 and Luis Enrique Amador del Ángel2 1Instituto Nacional de Pesca, Centro Regional de Investigación Acuícola y Pesquera de Yucalpetén. Boulevard del Pescador s/n Esq. Antigua Carr. a Chelem Yucalpetén, 97320. Yucatán 2Universidad Autónoma del Carmen. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Centro de Investigación de Ciencias Ambientales (CICA). Av. Laguna de Términos s/n Col. Renovación 2da Sección, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, 24155. México e-mail: [email protected] Wakida-Kusunoki A. T. and L. E. Amador-del-Ángel. 2015. First record of the red lionfish, Pterois volitans, on the coast of Tabasco, Mexico. Hidrobiológica 25: (2) 307-309. ABSTRACT National Park and Tuxpan Coral Reef) off the state of Veracruz (Santan- Two specimens of lionfish Pterois volitans were found for the first time der-Monsalvo et al., 2012). In this paper we document the presence of on the south coast of Tabasco in southeastern Mexico. This was the fifth P. volitans in coastal waters of southern Tabasco. time that this fish has been located on the Mexican coast of the Gulf Two specimens of lionfish were caught in San Pedro, Tabasco of Mexico. The presence of lionfish on the Tabasco coast of Mexico is (18°39' 29.83" N, 92° 28' 52.49" W) on July 30, 2013 and July 10, discussed. 2014, using a trawl net with a mesh size of 2.54 cm in waters 5.4 Key words: Invasive species, lionfish, Southeastern Mexico, Tabasco.
    [Show full text]
  • The Invasion of the Lionfish
    The Invasion of the Lionfish (Photo: Florida Sea Grant) It is a song that has been played in our state time and time again. An exotic pet or plant is brought across our borders and either intentionally or accidentally it is released into the environment and a problem ensues. Ornamental plants for our yards that spread seeds, exotic reptiles that become to large to care for, tropical mammals that are used in movie productions that manage to escape their “full-proof” enclosures and the next thing you know you see them wandering the streets of your community. In many cases these non-natives are just another part of the landscape but in some they begin to cause economic or environmental problems and they become invasive species. There are many examples of invasive creatures in Florida; iguanas, red fire ants, Chinese tallow, Japanese climbing fern, and most recently – Burmese pythons. The states of Florida and Hawaii have the largest problems with these creatures because of their tropical/sub-tropical climates; thus they have some of the toughest laws dealing with them. There is a $1000 fine for releasing a nonnative in Florida. These plants and animals find plenty of food, few predators, and warm temperatures year round. It is no different in the Gulf of Mexico. Many tropical fish released into our waters do not survive the cold winters or the high salinities, but things could not be better for the red lionfish. Also known as the Turkeyfish and Zebrafish, the Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is one of 500 species in the family Scorpaenidae; 6 of these are native to the Gulf of Mexico.
    [Show full text]
  • Record Body Size for the Red Lionfish, Pterois Volitans
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Aquila Digital Community Gulf and Caribbean Research Volume 25 | Issue 1 2013 Record Body Size for the Red Lionfish, Pterois volitans (Scorpaeniformes), in the Southern Gulf of Mexico Alfonso Aguilar-Perera Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico Leidy Perera-Chan Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico Luis Quijano-Puerto Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico DOI: 10.18785/gcr.2501.10 Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr Recommended Citation Aguilar-Perera, A., L. Perera-Chan and L. Quijano-Puerto. 2013. Record Body Size for the Red Lionfish, Pterois volitans (Scorpaeniformes), in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Gulf and Caribbean Research 25 (1): 121-123. Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/vol25/iss1/11 This Short Communication is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gulf and Caribbean Research by an authorized editor of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Gulf and Caribbean Research Vol 25, 121-123, 2013 Manuscript received, December 19, 2012; accepted, January 15, 2013 SHORT COMMUNICATION RECORD BODY SIZE FOR THE RED LIONFISH, PTEROIS VOLITANS (SCORPAENIFORMES), IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO Alfonso Aguilar—Perera*, Leidy Perera—Chan, and Luis Quijano—Puerto Departamento de Biología Marina, Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuaruas, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Km. 15.5, carretera Mérida—Xmatkuil, A.P. 4—116 Itzimná, C.P. 97315, Mérida, Yucatán, MÉXICO *Corresponding author email: [email protected] KEY WORDS: Cayo Arenas, Campeche bank, Yucatan Peninsula, coral reef, Mexico INTRODUCTION Non—native species are those that have been transported, weighed (g total weight, TW).
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Lionfish Invasion Waning? Evidence from the Bahamas
    Is the lionfish invasion waning? Evidence from The Bahamas Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Mark A. Albins, Kevin L. Buch, Kurt E. Ingeman, Tye L. Kindinger, Timothy J. Pusack, Christopher D. Stallings, et al. Coral Reefs Journal of the International Society for Reef Studies ISSN 0722-4028 Volume 36 Number 4 Coral Reefs (2017) 36:1255-1261 DOI 10.1007/s00338-017-1620-7 1 23 Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer- Verlag GmbH Germany. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be self- archived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The final publication is available at link.springer.com”. 1 23 Author's personal copy Coral Reefs (2017) 36:1255–1261 DOI 10.1007/s00338-017-1620-7 NOTE Is the lionfish invasion waning? Evidence from The Bahamas 1,2 1,3 4 1,5 Cassandra E. Benkwitt • Mark A. Albins • Kevin L. Buch • Kurt E. Ingeman • 1,6 1,7,8 1,7 Tye L. Kindinger • Timothy J. Pusack • Christopher D. Stallings • Mark A. Hixon1,9 Received: 16 December 2016 / Accepted: 5 September 2017 / Published online: 13 September 2017 Ó Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany 2017 Abstract Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans/miles) meantime, we recommend that managers continue efforts have undergone rapid population growth and reached to control invasive lionfish abundances locally.
    [Show full text]
  • L'invasion Du Poisson-Lion: Guide De Contrôle Et De Gestion
    L'Invasion du poisson-lion: Guide de contrôle et de gestion Publié par James A. Morris, Jr. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce Reef Environmental and Educational Foundation International Coral Reef Initiative Caribbean Environment Programme United Nations Environment Programme Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife - Regional Activity Center Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute National Fish and Wildlife Foundation L'Invasion du poisson-lion : Guide de contrôle et de gestion Editeur James A. Morris Jr. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Format & Graphiques LeRoy Creswell Florida Sea Grant Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Inc. Consultante de Publication Ann Boese Laughing Gull, Inc. Savannah, Géorgie, États-Unis Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Série de Publication Spéciale, Numéro 1 Marathon, Floride, États-Unis Cette publication est disponible auprès de : Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Inc. 2796 Overseas Highway, Suite 119 Marathon, Florida 33050 USA http://www.gcfi.org ou NOAA Central Library http://www2.coastalscience.noaa.gov/publications/ Formats de citation recommandés: Pour l'ouvrage entier Morris, J.A., Jr. (Ed.). 2013. L'Invasion du poisson-lion : guide de contrôle et de gestion. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Special Publication Series Number 3, Marathon, Florida, USA. 113 pp. Pour des chapitres au sein de l'ouvrage Akins, J.L. 2013. Éducation et sensibilisation : Etablir soutien et expertise. Pages 15- 23 in: J.A. Morris Jr. (ed.) L'Invasion du poisson-lion : guide de contrôle et de gestion. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute Special Publication Series Number 3, Marathon, Florida, USA. 113 pp. © 2013 by the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • National Invasive Lionfish Prevention and Management Plan
    5/5/2014 National Invasive Lionfish Prevention and Management Plan PREPARED BY: INVASIVE LIONFISH CONTROL AD-HOC COMMITTEE OF THE AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES TASK FORCE ABBREVIATIONS LIST ANS – Aquatic Nuisance Species ANSTF – Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force EDRR – Early Detection and Rapid Response FWC – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FKNMS – Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary GSARP – Gulf and South Atlantic Regional Panel GSMFC – Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission NAS – Non-Native Aquatic Species NGOs – Non-Governmental Organization PLAN – National Invasive Lionfish Prevention and Management Plan NISA – National Invasive Species Act of 1996 NMFS – National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPS – National Park Service REEF – Reef Environmental Education Foundation USFWS – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USGS – U.S. Geological Survey TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... I COMMITTEE MEMBER LIST ........................................................................................................................... II LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................... III LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]