Indo-Pacific lionfish are larger and more abundant on invaded reefs: a comparison of Kenyan and Bahamian lionfish populations

Abstract

The invasion by Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) of the western Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico is emerging as a major threat to coral reef communities across the region. Comparing native and introduced populations of invasive species can reveal shifts in ecology and behaviour that can accompany successful invasions. Using standardized field surveys replicated at multiple sites in Kenya and the Bahamas, we present the first direct comparisons of lionfish density, body size, biomass and behaviour between native and invaded coral reefs. We found that lionfish occur at higher densities with larger body sizes and total biomass on invaded Bahamian coral reefs than the ecologically equivalent species (P. miles) does on native Kenyan reefs. However, the combined average density of the five lionfish species (Pterois miles, P. antennata, P. radiata, Dendrochirus brachypterus and D. zebra) on Kenyan reefs was similar to the density of invasive lionfish in the Bahamas. Understanding the ecological processes that drive these differences can help inform the management and control of invasive lionfish.

Coping with the Lionfish Invasion: Can Targeted Removals Yield Beneficial Effects?

“…In some locations, Pterois volitans densities approach 400 fish per hectare, which is approximately 5-15 times the densities recorded in their native range (Morris and Whitfield, 2009;Green and Côté, 2009;Darling et al, 2011;Kulbicki et al, 2012). Such high densities suggest minimal mortality from disease, parasites, or predators, which may include grouper (Maljković et al, 2008;Morris and Whitfield, 2009;Albins and Hixon, 2011;Mumby et al, 2011).…”

“…Such high densities suggest minimal mortality from disease, parasites, or predators, which may include grouper (Maljković et al, 2008;Morris and Whitfield, 2009;Albins and Hixon, 2011;Mumby et al, 2011). In addition to occurring in higher numbers, lionfish are larger in the invaded range, which suggests decreased competition and reduced constraints on growth (Darling et al, 2011). In the absence of natural control mechanisms, high numbers of large lionfish pose a threat to the ecology and human use of coral reefs, because lionfish are effective, generalist predators that consume up to 4% of their body weight per day in fish and invertebrates, potentially leading to reduced abundances of native species and increased competition for food (Morris and Akins, 2009;Côté and Maljković, 2010;Barbour et al, 2010;Albins and Hixon, 2011;Muñoz et al, 2011;Layman and Allgeier, 2012).…”

Reef fish community in presence of the lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean

“…Remanso, localizada a 11°16'›N y 74°12'›O, es un área que se encuentra en el extremo nororiental de Taganga, caracterizada por area (7,8). Apparently, this fish has devastating effects on native communities and could be one of the most harmful marine invasions that has ever been recorded (9).…”

“…This species, native to the Indo-Pacific region, has become established with remarkable success in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea (5,6). Presently, a greater biomass and density has been recorded in the invaded area than with the nine lionfish (Pterois volitans) species occurring in their original distribution en el área invadida que la de las nueve especies registradas de pez león (Pterois spp) en su área de distribución (7,8). Al parecer este pez tiene fuertes efectos sobre las comunidades nativas y puede ser una de las invasiones marinas más nocivas de la que se tenga registro (9).…”

“…Se considera que P. volitans en un tiempo tan corto como cinco semanas es capaz de reducir el reclutamiento de peces nativos en pequeños parches cerca de un 80% (5), pudiendo afectar especies que cumplen funciones ecológicas importantes como la herbivoría (e.g Labridae y Pomacentridae). Asimismo, esta especie podría competir por alimento y espacio, con otras especies de importancia económica como pargos (Lutjanidae) y meros (Serranidae), disminuyendo su abundancia y reclutamiento (5,7,10). En la actualidad, el pez león es considerado como una de las 10 especies a nivel mundial con mayor impacto ecológico y económico en los sitios invadidos (11).…”