Invasive Lionfish Drive Atlantic Coral Reef Fish Declines

Abstract

Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) have spread swiftly across the Western Atlantic, producing a marine predator invasion of unparalleled speed and magnitude. There is growing concern that lionfish will affect the structure and function of invaded marine ecosystems, however detrimental impacts on natural communities have yet to be measured. Here we document the response of native fish communities to predation by lionfish populations on nine coral reefs off New Providence Island, Bahamas. We assessed lionfish diet through stomach contents analysis, and quantified changes in fish biomass through visual surveys of lionfish and native fishes at the sites over time. Lionfish abundance increased rapidly between 2004 and 2010, by which time lionfish comprised nearly 40% of the total predator biomass in the system. The increase in lionfish abundance coincided with a 65% decline in the biomass of the lionfish's 42 Atlantic prey fishes in just two years. Without prompt action to control increasing lionfish populations, similar effects across the region may have long-term negative implications for the structure of Atlantic marine communities, as well as the societies and economies that depend on them.

Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of the Lionfish Invasion in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico: Perspectives from a Broadscale Trawl Survey

“…In deeper waters, many ecologically and economically important reef fishes utilize habitats that overlap with those of lionfish, and species such as Red Grouper Epinephelus morio, Vermilion Snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens, Gray Snapper Lutjanus griseus, and Lane Snapper L. synagris were often caught in conjunction with lionfish in our survey trawls. The ecological effect of proliferating lionfish populations on these economically important native species and their prey base is unknown, but recent investigations conducted in shallower waters of the Bahamas document the potential for adverse impacts (Albins and Hixon 2013) on native reef fish recruitment (Albins and Hixon 2008) and prey species' biomass (Côte and Maljkovic 2010;Green et al 2012). At mesophotic depths, declines in coral reef herbivores caused by lionfish predation or avoidance of lionfish resulted in a phase shift to algae-dominated communities (Lesser and Slattery 2011).…”

Biological invasions, ecological resilience and adaptive governance

“…A contemporary example are the Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles), which have spread across much of the Caribbean since their detection in the early 1990s (Côte et al, 2013). Lionfishes are highly successful competitors and predators of native fishes (Green et al, 2012). Another example is the red macroalgae (Gracilaria salicornia) that was introduced to Hawaiian coral reefs in the 1970s.…”

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

“…It is considered that in as little as five weeks P. volitans is capable of reducing the recruitment of native fish in small areas (5) by 80%, possibly affecting species that fulfill important ecological roles, such as herbivores (e.g Labridae and Pomacentridae). Similarly, this species could compete for food and space with other species that are economically important, such as snappers (Lutjanidae) and groupers (Serranidae), diminishing quantities and recruitment (5,7,10). Presently, the lionfish is considered worldwide as one of the 10 species that has the greatest ecological and economic impact on invaded sites (11).…”

“…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).…”