Reproductive dynamics of the invasive lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

The lionfish Pterois miles invaded the Mediterranean Sea in 2012 and spread fast to the entire eastern basin. This study provides evidence of successful spawning and the first detailed analysis of P. miles ovarian dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea. The ovarian reproductive phases of mature females collected from Cyprus (eastern Mediterranean) between September 2017 and August 2018 were analysed, both macroscopically and histologically. The results suggested a prolonged oocyte recruitment and development season, and a spawning season that primarily occurred during summertime, even though spawning‐capable females were caught also in autumn. A year‐round spawning activity may have been inhibited due to seasonal variations in water temperature. Multiple oocyte developmental stages co‐occurred in females at different reproductive phases, indicating that more than one oocyte batches were released per spawning season. The analysis of the spawning batch formation enabled the batch fecundity estimation at 3225–63149 oocytes. The oocyte development pattern described in this study shared characteristics with the indeterminate fecundity type, where new oocytes are recruited to the secondary growth phase in parallel with spawning activity. Climate change is likely to extend the spawning season of lionfish in the Mediterranean Sea and further favour its invasion. The information provided in this study is vital for the design of strategic and effective management plans to restrain the expansion of this highly invasive fish.

The Devil Firefish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828): Life History Traits of a Potential Fishing Resource in Rhodes (Eastern Mediterranean)

“…According to a recent study [46], reproduction in Cyprus occurs in the summer. Mouchlianitis et al (2021) [124] are the only researchers that examined all aspects of P. miles reproductive biology in the eastern Mediterranean. These authors reported that the species exhibited active spawning only in June and July, but females capable of spawning were present throughout autumn.…”

Assessing the fish fauna diversity and abundance at Aegean and Ionian seas, with emphasis on certain NIS fish species via Scientific diving and Visual Census

“…At Samos, only five species were the most abundant, C. chromis (18.46%), Sarpa salpa (Linnaeus, 1758) (11.6%), S.cretense (8.47%) Coris julis (Linnaeus, 1758) (7.33%) and S. rivulatus (6.56%), in total 52.42%. Table 6 presents the total contribution of most abundant species (14) for Samos sites. Finally, at Santorini the most frequent species were C. chromis (22.06%), S. luridus (10.21%), S. rivulatus (10.21%), D. sargus (6.97%) and S. maena (5.27%), totally 54.72%.…”

“…In Mediterranean waters, lionfishes showed an extend period of reproduction, that seems to peak during the summer. Moreover, each female is able to complete its reproduction cycle multiple times during each season [14]. Several studies documented that its feeding behaviour and diet habits can set significant alterations on regional food webs in the Mediterranean basin [15][16][17].…”

An underwater clash of spears: Public engagement in Mediterranean lionfish control efforts

“…To reduce the impacts of lionfish in the Mediterranean, the European Commission funded the project ‘Preventing a LIONfish invasion in the MEDiterranean through early response and targeted Removal ‐ RELIONMED’ (LIFE16 NAT/CY/000832) that aimed to make Cyprus the first line of defence against the invasion (Kleitou et al, 2021a). After a year of research efforts to study its biological and ecological characteristics (Mouchlianitis et al, 2022; Savva et al, 2020), it became clear that lionfish adapted to the local conditions and quickly established growing populations that spread widely. A population suppression approach was adopted, also known as functional eradication (Green & Grosholz, 2021).…”