Reproductive biology of invasive lionfish (Pterois spp.)

Abstract

Indo-Pacific lionfishes, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) and Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828), native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, respectively, were first observed in the western Atlantic off Florida in 1985. They have since spread and are established throughout the broader Caribbean region. Despite potentially devastating ecological and economic effects, information on key life history characteristics for lionfish in the invaded range is sparse. Objectives of this study were to quantify (1) periodicity in gonad development and spawning, (2) spawning frequency, (3) batch fecundity and (4) female size at maturity for fish from Little Cayman. Calculation of gonadosomatic indices, histological and macroscopic staging of gonads, and counts of hydrated oocytes were applied to determine reproductive characteristics. Higher gonadosomatic indices were recorded for females during periods of stable warm or cool water temperatures indicating that extreme temperatures did not constrain reproduction. Histological and macroscopic staging suggested that male and female lionfish were capable of reproducing year-round. However, higher gonadosomatic indices in females, as expected before spawning, were most pronounced in March/April and August. Based on the proportion of females containing hydrated oocytes, mature lionfish had the potential to spawn every 2-3 days. Ovaries of mature females contained 1800-41945 oocytes that were hydrated in preparation for spawning, with greater numbers of oocytes in larger females. Female lionfish matured at 189-190 mm total length. Parameters estimated in this study can improve outputs from population dynamic models, which will help resource managers design removals and other efforts to control invasive lionfish.

Predicting predatory impact of juvenile invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) on a crustacean prey using functional response analysis: effects of temperature, habitat complexity and light regimes

“…Juvenile lionfish are an understudied life stage in terms of individual impact upon prey populations. The conclusions from this data are limited to juveniles under experimental conditions, however, due to high lionfish fecunidity (Gardner et al 2015) and low efficacy of juvenile removal by divers (Barbour et al 2011;Morris et al 2011) they should be considered a pervasive threat to crustacean prey populations.…”

Diet of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in Bermuda

“…Prey naïveté in the invaded range, along with the lionfishes' resemblance to more benign organisms, also appears to contribute to their hunting success (Cure et al 2012). Considering these feeding characteristics, their rapid growth rate (Edwards et al 2014), small size-at-maturity (Morris 2009, Gardner et al 2015, high fecundity and high spawning frequency (Morris 2009, Gardner et al 2015, and apparent lack of natural predators (Albins & Hixon 2013), there is great concern that if their populations are not properly managed, invasive lionfish could cause significant ecological disruption in Bermuda, through predation and resource competition. Elsewhere, Albins & Hixon (2008) showed that lionfish can reduce the recruitment of reef fish by nearly 80% in as little as 5 wk.…”

Uso de la Estructura de tallas como evidencia del establecimiento poblacional del pez león Pterois volitans (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) en el sur del Caribe Mexicano.

“…Claydon et al (2012), estimaron que el 71 % de los peces que se encontraban en los hábitats de poca profundidad tenían menos de un año. Para Xcalak a partir del 2011, se presentó mayor porcentaje de organismos con edades superiores al año, es decir tallas de aproximadamente 190 mm de Lt, las cuales corresponden a organismos reproductores (Gardner et al, 2015).…”

“…Además de representar una invasión rápida (Ruttenberg et al, 2012), según Sutherland et al (2010), la considera entre los problemas que más afectan la conservación de la diversidad biológica en el Caribe. Esta especie alcanza mayores tallas y densidades poblacionales en sus nuevas áreas, que en las nativas debido a su alta tasa reproductiva (Gardner et al, 2015), a la ausencia de depredadores (Darling et al, 2011), a su habilidad competitiva con especies nativas (Albins, 2013) y al apetito voraz, siendo un consumidor generalista (Valdez-Moreno, Quintal-Lizama, Gómez-Lozano, & García-Rivas, 2012). Los impactos derivados de su presencia en los arrecifes del Atlántico van desde la reducción en el reclutamiento de peces hasta un 79 % y una disminución en la biomasa de 65 % (Albins & Hixon, 2008;Green, Akins, Maljković, & Côté, 2012).…”