A vector analysis of marine ornamental species in California

Abstract

The occurrence of problematic pest organisms is an increasing global phenomenon, adversely affecting a range of environments and associated values. In marine systems, the efficacy of pest control has to date been constrained by a lack of tools that are not only highly effective, but also applicable across broad spatial scales. Here we consider the extent to which biological control (biocontrol) has the potential to fulfil these needs. We describe different biocontrol approaches and potential ecological mechanisms (e.g. consumption, space competition, habitat modification) through which problematic species could be supressed. We also discuss the ideal traits of marine control agents within the context of the selection criteria commonly applied in terrestrial systems. Classical biocontrol based on the deliberate introduction of non-indigenous agents has a high risk of leading to adverse non-target effects in marine environments, and cannot be justified. By contrast, approaches that use indigenous species have a low risk of unacceptable non-target effects, and could be used as part of pest eradication, as a means of containing spread, or for the control of established pest populations to mitigate adverse effects. While biocontrol based on indigenous species can be highly effective for such purposes, it is unlikely that it could be feasibly applied at broad spatial scales, except in specific circumstances (e.g. in some types of aquaculture). There is clearly a need to develop new approaches to manage marine pests. Biocontrol when used in conjunction with traditional approaches can provide a valuable tool for pest eradication, containment and mitigation of adverse effects.

Characterizing the US trade in lionfishes

“…Many online retailers advertise and presumably sell a diverse stock list of Pteroinae directly to the public, but that diversity was not apparent in our retail survey results. For California, Williams et al [37] reported the online availability of 12 species to hobbyists from internet sources. At the retail level, our survey found only six species available in 10 coastal states, only five of which were found in 50 Californian retail stores.…”

“…California was included because P . volitans has a thermal niche that may allow for permanent established populations in some areas of southern California [36], and because it is a major hub for the marine ornamental fish trade [37]. Retail stores were identified and selected using a standardized Google search for the term “saltwater aquarium store in” followed by the state where that store is located.…”

Zonas susceptibles de invasión por parte del pez león en el Pacífico mexicano

“…En la actualidad solo hay dos regiones tropicales del mundo donde Pterois volitans/miles no ha sido capaz de irrumpir: la costa occidental de África y el Pacífico oriental tropical (Schofield, 2010). Esta última abarca desde el golfo de California (GC; México) hasta el norte de Perú, y en ella el pez no se ha establecido a pesar de la presencia de arrecifes coralinos y rocosos (Glynn et al 2017) que son hábitats propicios para la colonización, por lo que, dada la afinidad de hábitat, Williams et al (2015) manifestaron preocupación sobre los efectos de la llegada de Pterois spp. a la costa oeste de los Estados Unidos.…”

Unexpected reproductive traits of Grateloupia turuturu revealed by its resistance to bleach-based biosecurity protocols

“…Global transportation networks have resulted in large numbers of non-indigenous species (NIS) appearing in marine ecosystems. Major vectors of introduction include the aquarium and ornamental trades (Williams et al 2015, Vranken et al 2018, ballast water (Carlton and Geller 1993), biofouling on commercial ships (Williams et al 2013, Lacoursière-Roussel et al 2016, Whitman Miller et al 2018, transport with shellfish (Hégaret et al 2008), and transoceanic transport after natural disasters (Carlton et al 2018, Hanyuda et al 2018. A common invader is Grateloupia turuturu Yamada, a low to subtidal red alga originally described from Japan (Yamada 1941) that now has a nearly global distribution after primary and secondary introductions (e.g.…”