First larval record of Pterois volitans (Pisces: Scorpaenidae) collected from the ichthyoplankton in the Atlantic

Vásquez–Yeomans, Lourdes; Carrillo, Laura; Morales, Selene; Malca, Estrella; Morris, James A.; Schultz, Thomas F.; Lamkin, John T.

doi:10.1007/s10530-011-9968-z

Cited by 18 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The fi rst sighting of lionfi sh in the Mexican Caribbean was reported in Cozumel Island in 2009 (Schofi eld 2009). Since that time, lionfi sh rapidly invaded the entire marine and some estuarine systems in the area (Vásquez-Yeomans et al 2011), including deep (>75 m) waters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio-temporal variation in the diet composition of red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), in the Mexican Caribbean: Insights into the ecological effect of the alien invasion

Arredondo-Chávez¹,

Sánchez-Jiménez²,

Ávila-Morales³

et al. 2016

Acta Ichthyol. Piscat.

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Background. The observed expansion of the red lionfi sh, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Caribbean represents one of the most rapid marine fi sh invasions in the history. The invasion rate of this top predator has resulted in a marked negative effect on local fi sh populations in the Caribbean by impacting local biodiversity. The main aim of this work was to conduct the morphological identifi cation of prey items from the lionfi sh diet, and to determine the spatio-temporal variation of the lionfi sh diet composition in different sites of the Mexican Caribbean, to have a better knowledge of how this invasive species is impacting local species of commercial or ecological importance in the region. Materials and methods. The Mexican Caribbean study area was divided in three zones; North (one locality Isla Contoy), Central (three locations Xpu-Ha, Akumal and X'Cacel), and South (two locations Banco Chinchorro and Xcalak). The fi sh were collected, from different habitats, using SCUBA diving and Hawaiian harpoon. Collected fi sh were taxonomically identifi ed, measured for total length (TL) and standard length (SL), and weighed to the nearest gram. Prey items were identifi ed using a dissection microscope. After identifi cation, prey items were separated, counted, and weighted individually. Finally, statistical analyses were made for all the samples using this study database, containing predators and prey items. Results. A total of 76 prey species were identifi ed in 962 lionfi sh stomachs; 47 of them represented fi shes and 29-crustaceans. Fishes of families Pomacentridae, Labridae, and Scaridae were the most abundant diet components of lionfi sh. Rhynchocinetidae, Penaeidae, and Solenoceridae were the most representative Crustaceans families among the prey items. Molluscs were present as diet components only as incidental food. Conclusion. Red lionfi sh, known for its high competitive capacity, preyed more intensively on fi shes than on crustaceans. Therefore, it is evident that the lionfi sh presence in the Mexican Caribbean may affect mainly the local population of reef fi shes. The presently reported results contribute to a better understanding of the red lionfi sh invasion in the Caribbean.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatio-temporal variation in the diet composition of red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), in the Mexican Caribbean: Insights into the ecological effect of the alien invasion

Arredondo-Chávez¹,

Sánchez-Jiménez²,

Ávila-Morales³

et al. 2016

Acta Ichthyol. Piscat.

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“…Complete removal will thus be impossible as lionfish populations on the windward sides of both islands and those below traditional diving limits (i.e.~40 m) remain largely unfished. In addition to the influx of larvae from other Caribbean locations (Ahrenholz & Morris 2010, Johnston & Purkis 2011, Vásquez-Yeomans et al 2011, larvae produced by these locally unfished populations will likely permanently offset the effect of removals on the leeward side assuming that local retention of larvae occurs to some degree. Lionfish control efforts can therefore never cease as local populations are likely replenished by recruitment from external sources and native predators feeding on or learning to feed on lionfish are presently rare throughout the Caribbean (Mumby et al 2011).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of lionfish removal efforts in the southern Caribbean

León¹,

Vane²,

Bertuol³

et al. 2013

Endang. Species. Res.

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Lionfish Pterois volitans and P. miles have spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean Sea since 1985, where they negatively impact native fish communities and therefore are considered by some as the most damaging invasive species in the Caribbean to date. To combat further population growth and spread of lionfish and to protect native fish communities, various Caribbean islands have started control efforts. On Bonaire, a removal program based on volunteers using spear guns was started immediately after the first lionfish was sighted in 2009, and a similar program was started on neighboring Curaçao 2 yr later. To determine the effectiveness of these removal efforts, differences in the density and biomass of lionfish were compared between areas in which lionfish were directly targeted during removal efforts (i.e. 'fished' areas) on Bonaire and areas where they were not (i.e. 'unfished areas') on both Bonaire and Curaçao. Lionfish biomass in fished locations on Bonaire was 2.76-fold lower than in unfished areas on the same island and 4.14-fold lower than on unfished Curaçao. While removal efforts are effective at reducing the local number of lionfish, recruitment from unfished locations, such as those too deep for recreational diving and at dive sites that are difficult to access, will continuously offset the effects of removal efforts. Nevertheless, our results show that the immediate start and subsequent continuation of local removal efforts using volunteers is successful at significantly reducing the local density and biomass of invasive lionfish on small Caribbean islands. KEY WORDS: Spearfishing · Eradication of lionfish · Pterois volitans · Invasive species · Curaçao · BonaireResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher Endang Species Res 22: 175-182, 2013 time, and as a result, local and rapid response efforts are often not sufficiently considered as a (temporary) alternative to international action to minimize the effect of marine invasives, despite the fact that such rapid response strategies are sometimes successful (Anderson 2005, Frazer et al. 2012.All aforementioned aspects are relevant to management efforts aimed at minimizing the negative effects of the invasive Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans and P. miles on native marine communities in the Atlantic Ocean. P. volitans/miles were first sighted in the Atlantic region near the southeast coast of North America in 1985, where they had likely been released by aquarists (Semmens et al. 2004). From there, they first spread northward along the east coast of the USA and since 2004 also southward toward the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the north coast of South America (Schofield 2009, 2010, Johnston & Purkis 2011, Frazer et al. 2012). In the Caribbean, lionfish have established themselves in a variety of marine habitats, including coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, coastal estuaries and deep waters up to 300 m (Barbour et al. 2010, Biggs & Olden 2011, Jud et al. 2011. They are generalist predators of...

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“…Routine pore size on these screens (holes 15–25mm diameter or slots 20–35mm width [25]) can equal or exceed the size of many larval fishes, including lionfish whose reported larval stages range from 1.5 to 11mm [26–28]. Cross-sectional area of these fishes is the more relevant metric and would be even smaller.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These individuals could easily fit through sea chests and their associated coarse-sized grates. For example, a 15–16 day old larval individual is ~ 8mm standard length [28], and at settlement is between 10 and 12mm [30]. Furthermore, given that lionfish can reproduce every 2–4 days and produce up to 25,000 eggs per reproductive bout or approximately two million eggs per year [31,32], it seems likely that larval lionfish will be taken up through sea chests at some frequency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although our model suggested a negative relationship between minimum depth and establishment success, the pattern is reversed for mean depth (Table 2). Lionfish have been observed at depths down to 300m even though the species’ depth limits are not well established [28,41,42]. Remotely operated vehicle surveys may help clarify depth limits of the species [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Possible Ballast Water Transfer of Lionfish to the Eastern Pacific Ocean

et al. 2016

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The Indo-Pacific Red Lionfish was first reported off the Florida coast in 1985, following which it has spread across much of the SE USA, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Lionfish negatively impact fish and invertebrate assemblages and abundances, thus further spread is cause for concern. To date, the fish has not been reported on the Pacific coast of North or Central America. Here we examine the possibility of ballast water transfer of lionfish from colonized areas in the Atlantic Ocean to USA ports on the Pacific coast. Over an eight-year period, we documented 27 commercial vessel-trips in which ballast water was loaded in colonized sites and later discharged untreated into Pacific coast ports in the USA. California had the highest number of discharges including San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles-Long Beach. A species distribution model suggests that the probability of lionfish establishment is low for the western USA, Colombia and Panama, low to medium for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, medium to high for mainland Ecuador, and very high for western Mexico, Peru and the Galapagos Islands. Given the species’ intolerance of freshwater conditions, we propose that ballast water exchange be conducted in Gatún Lake, Panama for western-bound vessels carrying ‘risky’ ballast water to prevent invasion of the eastern Pacific Ocean.

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First larval record of Pterois volitans (Pisces: Scorpaenidae) collected from the ichthyoplankton in the Atlantic

Abstract: The first record of a lionfish larva Pterois volitans (Linnaeus 1758) collected from the ichthy-

Cited by 18 publications

References 18 publications

Spatio-temporal variation in the diet composition of red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), in the Mexican Caribbean: Insights into the ecological effect of the alien invasion

Spatio-temporal variation in the diet composition of red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), in the Mexican Caribbean: Insights into the ecological effect of the alien invasion

Effectiveness of lionfish removal efforts in the southern Caribbean

Possible Ballast Water Transfer of Lionfish to the Eastern Pacific Ocean

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