Genetic Data Suggest Multiple Introductions of the Lionfish (Pterois miles) into the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Widespread reports over the last six years confirm the establishment of lionfish (Pterois miles) populations in the eastern Mediterranean. Accumulated knowledge on lionfish invasions in the western Atlantic Ocean has shown that it is a successful invader and can have negative impacts on native species, indirect ecological repercussions and economic effects on local human societies. Here we analysed genetic sequences of lionfish from Cyprus as well as data from the whole distribution of the species, targeting the mtDNA markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the control region (CR). Our results reflect a pattern of repeated introductions into the Mediterranean from the northern Red Sea and a secondary spread of this species west to Rhodes and Sicily. Presented results agree with previously published studies highlighting the genetic similarity with individuals from the northern Red Sea. Nevertheless, some individuals from Cyprus, in addition to those coming via the Suez Canal, were genetically similar to fish from the Indian Ocean, indicating genetic homogeneity among populations of P. miles across its current distribution, possibly facilitated by the ornamental fish trade and/or transport through ballast water.

Characterization of genetic diversity of an invasive Lessepsian Migrant, Nemipterus randalli Russell, 1986 from its native and non-native regions using mitochondrial DNA marker

“…Similar to our results, Ogwang et al (2020) reported using COI gene that genetic diversity in the Mediterranean population is lower than the Red Sea population. Several studies have also reported a decrease in the genetic diversity in the invasive marine fish populations compared with that in native populations (Sanna et al, 2015;Dimitriou et al, 2019).…”

Current status (as of end of 2020) of marine alien species in Turkey

“…In the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank and in Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), there are a total of 155 Pterois miles mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences obtained from Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey and Greece [97][98][99]. The researchers investigated the P. miles populations in the Eastern Mediterranean and concluded that the invasion has occurred by multiple introductions.…”

Diversity of Seahorse Species (Hippocampus spp.) in the International Aquarium Trade

“…Most marine aquarium fish are still taken from the wild, in particular from coral reefs and surrounding environments, providing low-income coastal communities with a livelihood but also causing the aquarium industry to attract controversy in terms of sustainability [8][9][10]. This trade is connected with severe ecological risks, such as overharvesting of some species and destructive collecting methods [8,[11][12][13][14][15] and the introduction of non-native species in the importing countries [9,[16][17][18][19][20]. Collecting ornamental fish with the help of nets [21][22][23] can cause a pollution problem when the Diversity 2021, 13, 187 2 of 37 nets are lost and animals are strangled in them [24].…”