DOCSLIB.ORG

Age and Growth of the Invasive Lionfish: North Carolina, USA, Vs Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Age and Growth of the Invasive Lionfish: North Carolina, USA, Vs Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Explorations |Natural Sciences and Engineering Age And Growth Of The Invasive Lionfish: North Carolina, USA, vs Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Samantha Farquhar University of North Carolina Wilmington Faculty Mentor: Thomas Lankford University of North Carolina Wilmington ABSTRACT Lionfsh are an invasive species that are now well established throughout the Atlantic. Originally from the Indo-Pacifc, they have decimated local fshes’ populations due to their rapid repro- duction, broad environmental tolerance, voracious appetite, and lack of predators. Through the examination of otoliths paired with morphometric data, this study investigates the age and growth of lionfsh (sp. P. volitans) from two locations: North Carolina, USA and Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean. Otoliths were extracted from lionfsh samples, embedded in resin, and then sec- tioned so that age could be determined with microscopic analysis. These age estimates along with the corresponding total lengths were used to calculate growth rates via the von Bertalanffy growth equation. Results returned a K and L-infnity value of 0.32 cm and 42.5 cm for lionfsh from NC and 0.39 cm and 38.7 cm for Bonaire, respectively. These fndings suggest that lionfsh from NC have slower growth but grow older and larger than that of lionfsh from Bonaire. This likely attributes to location as well as convenience and strength of removal efforts. In Bonaire, lionfsh are hunted often and are easily accessible to the public, whereas in North Carolina, lionfsh are found miles off the coast and their harvesting is not as popular. ionfsh are an invasive species deriv- (Schofeld 2009). This study focuses on spe- Ling from the Indo-Pacifc that have now cies P. volitans. come to thrive in the Atlantic and Caribbean. The earliest sighting of lionfsh in the Invasive lionfsh can be classifed into two Atlantic dates to 1985 off the southeastern species, the fre devil fsh (P. miles) and red coast of Florida and thought to be caused lionfsh, (P. volitans). Both species look and by negligent aquarists. Through mitochon- behave very similar; they both appear to have dria DNA analysis, this was shown to be red and white zebra-like stripes, long pecto- likely source of the invasive (Freshwater et ral fns, venomous spines, and a sedentary, al. 2009). In 2000, multiple individuals were fearless demeanor (Schultz 1986). However, sighted off North Carolina and the surround- meristic counts differ between the species. P. ing states; nine years later, in 2009, lionfsh miles generally has 10 dorsal-fn rays and 6 were seen in Bonaire (de León et al. 2013). anal-fn rays while P. volitans usually has 11 Presently, lionfsh have been found as far dorsal-fn rays and 7 anal-fn rays (Schultz south as Brazil and as far north as New York 1986). Also, Species P. volitans has a wider (Morris and Whitfeld 2009, Freshwater et geographic invasive range than P. miles al. 2009, Green et al. 2012, Ferreira et al. 112 Samantha Farquhar 2015). Lionfsh are expected to continue in- infuences for two very different locations: vading the remainder of the Caribbean and to North Carolina, USA and Bonaire, Dutch continue southward along the coast of South Caribbean. America until the water temperatures fall be- low their thermal tolerance limit (Morris and METHODS Whitfeld 2009). Lionfsh are classifed as generalist car- Lionfsh samples were obtained from both nivores that feed on a wide variety of fshes locations during the summer of 2015 (June and crustaceans (Morris and Akins 2009). – August) (Figure 1). In North Carolina, 21 Lionfsh consume prey at high rates, largely lionfsh were purchased from local fsherman during crepuscular periods (Green et al. after their returns from the Onslow Bay area. 2012). Their hunting strategy is unique In Bonaire, 17 lionfsh were speared and do- among predatory fshes within the Caribbean. nated by locals. Bonaire samples all were Lionfsh hover motionless over prey with from the west coast of the island. However, their large pectoral fns extended and are able due to human or experimental error, only 13 to approach their prey closely before making otoliths from each location were able to be a rapid strike. They also can extrude water completely evaluated. jets to orient the prey towards the mouth be- For all samples collected, the species was fore striking (Albins and Lyons 2012). Their verifed, total length (TL) recorded, and the relentless predation wreaks havoc on com- sagittal otoliths were extracted. Otoliths are munities. For example, a 79% reduction in small bones that are found within fshes’ cra- fsh recruitment on experimental patch reefs niums that help facilitate balance, orienta- in the Bahamas was observed during a fve- tion, and sound (Secor et al. 1991). As these week observation period in the presence of bones grow, they form annual rings similar a single small lionfsh (Albins and Hixon to like rings of a tree. These annuli can be 2008). Another study reported lionfsh prey counted to give age estimates and used in biomass reduced by an average of 65% over further calculations to produce growth curves a two-year-period (Green et al. 2012). This (Secor et al. 1991). The otoliths were embed- mass predation is cause for concern as the ded in resin, mounted, and sectioned with an over-consumption of herbivore fshes can Isomet™ Low Speed Saw as following pro- shift ecosystems to algae dominated coral as tocol from the Manual for Otolith Removal shown by Lesser and Slattery (2011). These and Preparation for Microstructural shifts that can effect both habitat and econ- Examination (Secor et al. 1991). Sections omy as seen during the mass extinction of the were then analyzed for annuli under a com- sea urchin, Diadema antillarum in the 1980’s pound microscope to determine age. Further (Mumby et al. 2006). analysis for growth was conducted follow- Lionfsh are extremely tolerant and adap- ing protocol set forth by the FAO’s (Food tive. They have been reported from all major and Agriculture Organization of the United marine seafoor and substrate types within Nations) manual, Introduction to Tropical the invaded Atlantic, and they occupy a Fish Stock Assessment (Sparre and Venema range of depths (Morris et al 2009). They 1998). have no known predators and a proven vora- The age estimates from the otolith analy- cious appetite; this paired with their ability to ses along with the corresponding total lengths reproduce every 4 days drives their success were used to calculate a growth rates via the (Morris et al 2009). Through the analysis of von Bertalanffy growth equation (Table 1.): otoliths and recorded total lengths, this study aims to (1) produce von Bertalanffy growth curves and (2) investigate the age structure and growth with regards to environmental where l(t) is length at time, t(0) is the 113 Explorations |Natural Sciences and Engineering Figure 1. Map of study area 114 Samantha Farquhar Table 1. Raw otolith and corresponding age data for samples from North Carolina and Bonaire Table 2. Comparison between parameters of von Bertalanffy growth equation for North Carolina and Bonaire 115 Explorations |Natural Sciences and Engineering theoretical length at age 0, K is the growth the parameter, t(0) was calculated by creat- rate and L∞, termed ‘L infnity’ in fsheries ing a Von Bertalanffy plot. This plots age (t) science, is the asymptotic length at which against: growth is zero(von Bertalanffy 1934). This equation assumes that body length is a func- tion of age. Parameters for this equation were from the linear regression of this plot, t(0) calculated by the Ford-Walford plot. This plot can be simply calculated by: graphs a fsh’s length at year (t+1) against the fsh’s length the previous year (t) producing the equation: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results return a K and L-infnity value of From this, the following parameters can 0.32 cm and 42.5 cm for lionfsh from NC be calculated from the linear regression via: and 0.39 cm and 38.7 cm for Bonaire, re- spectively (Table 2 and Figure 2). The age range of lionfsh found in North Carolina was 0.6-6.0 years old with an average age of 2 years old (Figure 3). Bonaire lionfsh showed a range of 0.1-5.0 years old with an average Figure 2. Von Bertalanffy growth curves calculated from lionfsh samples for both North Carolina and Bonaire 116 Samantha Farquhar Figure 3. Age structure of lionfsh samples from Bonaire and North Carolina age of 1 year (Figure 3). 29°C (84°F). These warmer temperatures These results are similar to those found increase metabolic efforts which in turn af- in past studies from the Western Atlantic fects growth (Thresher et al. 2007). The age and Caribbean. One study from the Cayman structure seen in Figure 3 is likely attributed Islands reported lionfsh with a K growth rate to other environmental infuences such as lo- of 0.42 and a L∞ value of 34.9 cm (Edwards cation and accessibility. Bonaire is a small et al. 2014) while another from Onslow Bay, island renowned for its convenience for pris- NC reported lionfsh with a K growth rate tine diving. Local efforts to eliminate lion- of 0.32 and a L∞ value of 45.5 cm (Potts et fsh and help protect and conserve Bonaire’s al. 2010). While the von Bertalanffy growth reefs are strong. Government organizations function (VBGF) is widely accepted, the (STINAPA), educational institutes (CIEE assumptions and limitations should be rec- Research Station Bonaire), local dive shops, ognized (Pardo et al. 2013). The VBGF is and visitors work closely together reporting was not adjusted for seasonality which could and monitoring lionfsh sightings to each produce variations in the growth coeffcient.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Invasion of Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Bahamas: Challenges for a National Response Plan
    The Invasion of Indo-Pacific Lionfish in the Bahamas: Challenges for a National Response Plan KATHLEEN SULLIVAN SEALEY1, 4, LAKESHIA ANDERSON2, DEON STEWART3, and NICOLA SMITH4, 5 1University of Miami Department of Biology, Coral Gables, Florida USA; 2 Department of Marine Resources, Nassau, Bahamas; 3 Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission, Nassau, Bahamas; 4 Marine and Environmental Studies Institute, College of The Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas; 5 Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada ABSTRACT The invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish to Bahamian waters raises considerable concern due to the uncertainty of its ecological impacts and its potential threats to commercial fisheries and human safety. Lionfish have been reported throughout the archipelago and are the focus of several research and monitoring initiatives. The Bahamas has a National Invasive Species Strategy, but marine invasions require unique partnerships for small islands developing states to develop realistic management goals and actions. The Government of The Bahamas has limited funds to address major resource management issues; hence, collaboration with non-governmental agencies and tertiary education institutions is imperative. The establishment and spread of lionfish has created a novel opportunity for the formation of innovative public-private partnerships to address the ecological, economic and social impacts of biological invasions. KEY WORDS: Lionfish, invasion, reefs La Invasión en las Bahamas del Pez León del Indo-Pacifico: Un Caso de Investigación, Planificación, y Manejo La invasión del pez león del Indopacífico en las aguas de Las Bahamas ha generado una gran preocupación debido a la incertidumbre sobre su efecto ecológico y la posible afectación a la pesca comercial, el turismo y la seguridad de la población.
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding Ecology of Invasive Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) in the Bahamian Archipelago
    Environ Biol Fish (2009) 86:389–398 DOI 10.1007/s10641-009-9538-8 Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Bahamian archipelago James A. Morris Jr. & John L. Akins Received: 24 February 2009 /Accepted: 7 October 2009 /Published online: 27 October 2009 # US Government 2009 Abstract Feeding ecology of the lionfish (Pterois Keywords Pterois . Diet composition . volitans), an invasive species in the Western North Stomach content . Invasive species Atlantic, was examined by collecting stomach content data from fishes taken throughout the Bahamian archipelago. Three relative metrics of prey quantity, Introduction including percent number, percent frequency, and percent volume, were used to compare three indices The lionfishes, Pterois miles and P. volitans, (Hamner of dietary importance. Lionfish largely prey upon et al. 2007; Morris 2009) are the first non-native teleosts (78% volume) and crustaceans (14% volume). marine fishes to become established along the Twenty-one families and 41 species of teleosts were Atlantic coast of the U.S. and the Caribbean. Adult represented in the diet of lionfish; the top 10 families of lionfish specimens are now found along the U.S. East dietary importance were Gobiidae, Labridae, Gram- Coast from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Florida, matidae, Apogonidae, Pomacentridae, Serranidae, and in Bermuda, the Bahamas, and throughout the Blenniidae, Atherinidae, Mullidae, and Monacanthi- Caribbean, including the Turks and Caicos, Haiti, dae. The proportional importance of crustaceans in the Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, diet was inversely related to size with the largest Belize, and Mexico (Schofield et al. 2009). The first lionfish preying almost exclusively on teleosts.
    [Show full text]
  • 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]
  • Pterois Volitans [Linnaeus 1758] and P. Miles [Bennett 1828]) in the Western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea
    Aquatic Invasions (2009) Volume 4, Issue 3: 473-479 DOI 10.3391/ai.2009.4.3.5 © 2009 The Author(s) Journal compilation © 2009 REABIC (http://www.reabic.net) This is an Open Access article Research article Geographic extent and chronology of the invasion of non-native lionfish (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus 1758] and P. miles [Bennett 1828]) in the Western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea Pamela J. Schofield US Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center, Gainesville, FL 32653, USA Email: [email protected] Received 17 July 2009; accepted in revised form 19 August 2009; published online 1 September 2009 Abstract The Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus 1758] and P. miles [Bennett 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) are the first non-native marine fishes to establish in the Western North Atlantic. The chronology of the invasion is reported here using records from the US Geological Survey’s Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. Currently, lionfish are established off the Atlantic coast of the USA from the Florida Keys to Cape Hatteras (North Carolina), the Great Antilles, Bermuda, Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos. The species have been reported from only one island in the Lesser Antilles (St. Croix), but it is not yet established there. Lionfish are established in Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica. Reports have come from the Gulf of Mexico (Florida), Belize, Panamá and Colombia; although lionfish are not considered established in these localities at this time (August 2009), invasion is likely imminent. Key words: lionfish, Pterois volitans, Pterois miles, non-native marine fishes, Scorpaenidae Introduction and Akins unpubl. data) and have venomous spines that could injure divers.
    [Show full text]