Journal ArticleDOI
Worst case scenario: potential long-term effects of invasive predatory lionfish (Pterois volitans) on Atlantic and Caribbean coral-reef communities
Mark A. Albins,Mark A. Hixon +1 more
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A possible “worst case scenario” in which the direct and indirect effects of lionfish could combine with the impacts of preexisting stressors—especially overfishing—and cause substantial deleterious changes in coral-reef communities is described.Abstract:
The Pacific red lionfish has recently invaded Western Atlantic and Caribbean coral reefs, and may become one of the most ecologically harmful marine fish introductions to date. Lionfish possess a broad suite of traits that makes them particularly successful invaders and strong negative interactors with native fauna, including defensive venomous spines, cryptic form, color and behavior, habitat generality, high competitive ability, low parasite load, efficient predation, rapid growth, and high reproductive rates. With an eye on the future, we describe a possible "worst case scenario" in which the direct and indirect effects of lionfish could combine with the impacts of preexisting stressors—especially overfishing—and cause sub- stantial deleterious changes in coral-reef communi- ties. We also discuss management actions that could be taken to minimize these potential effects by, first, developing targeted lionfish fisheries and local removals, and second, enhancing native biotic resistance, particularly via marine reserves that could conserve and foster potential natural enemies of this invader. Ultimately, the lionfish invasion will be limited either by the lionfish starving—the worst end to the worst case scenario—or by some combination of native pathogens, parasites, predators, and competitors controlling the abundance of lionfish.read more
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Journal ArticleDOI
The future of hyperdiverse tropical ecosystems
Jos Barlow,Filipe França,Filipe França,Toby A. Gardner,Christina C. Hicks,Gareth D. Lennox,Erika Berenguer,Erika Berenguer,Leandro Castello,Evan P. Economo,Joice Ferreira,Benoit Guénard,Cecília Gontijo Leal,Victoria J. Isaac,Alexander C. Lees,Catherine L. Parr,Catherine L. Parr,Catherine L. Parr,Shaun K. Wilson,Paul Young,Nicholas A. J. Graham +20 more
TL;DR: The immense biodiversity of tropical ecosystems is threatened by multiple interacting local and global stressors that can only be addressed by the concerted efforts of grassroots organizations, researchers, national governments and the international community.
Book
Status and trends of Caribbean coral reefs : 1970-2012
TL;DR: With only about one-sixth of the original coral cover left, most Caribbean coral reefs may disappear in the next 20 years, primarily due to the loss of grazers in the region, according to the latest report, the status and trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs: 1970-2012 as mentioned in this paper.
Journal ArticleDOI
Invasive lionfish drive Atlantic coral reef fish declines.
TL;DR: The response of native fish communities to predation by lionfish populations on nine coral reefs off New Providence Island, Bahamas is documented to have long-term negative implications for the structure of Atlantic marine communities, as well as the societies and economies that depend on them.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Ecological Role of Sharks on Coral Reefs
George Roff,Christopher Doropoulos,Alice Rogers,Yves-Marie Bozec,Nils C. Krueck,Eleanor Aurellado,Mark A. Priest,Chico L. Birrell,Peter J. Mumby +8 more
TL;DR: The ecological roles of sharks on coral reefs are explored and it is found that most reef-associated shark species do not act as apex predators but instead function as mesopredators along with a diverse group of reef fish.
Journal ArticleDOI
Predatory fish invaders: Insights from Indo-Pacific lionfish in the western Atlantic and Caribbean
TL;DR: This work takes stock of recently accumulated knowledge about lionfish ecology and behaviour and examines how this information is contributing to general understanding of the patterns and processes underpinning marine predator invasions, and to the specific issue of lionfish management.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Predation on the invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Pisces: Scorpaenidae), by native groupers in the Bahamas
TL;DR: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented evidence of introduced red lionfish being preyed upon by native species within their novel range.
Journal ArticleDOI
The western Pacific red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Scorpaenidae), in Florida: Evidence for reproduction and parasitism in the first exotic marine fish established in state waters
TL;DR: The reasons for concluding that this species has probably become established in Florida are discussed, the potential danger that these venomous fishes pose to the public are summarized, and the effect of a parasite hosted by the male lionfish is examined.
Biology and Ecology of the Invasive Lionfishes, Pterois miles and Pterois volitans
A. Barse,D. Cerino,C. Paris +2 more
TL;DR: A synopsis of lionfish biology and ecology including invasion chronology, taxonomy, local abundance, reproduction, early life history and dispersal, venomology, feeding ecology, parasitology, potential impacts, and control and management is provided.
Journal ArticleDOI
The future of the oceans past.
TL;DR: There is an urgent need for immediate and decisive conservation action Otherwise, another great mass extinction affecting all ocean ecosystems and comparable to the upheavals of the geological past appears inevitable.
Journal ArticleDOI
Mitochondrial control region sequence analyses indicate dispersal from the US East Coast as the source of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans in the Bahamas.
D. Wilson Freshwater,Andrew Hines,Seth L. Parham,Ami E. Wilbur,Michelle Sabaoun,Jennifer Woodhead,Lad Akins,Bruce Purdy,Paula E. Whitfield,Claire B. Paris +9 more
TL;DR: Results indicate that the source of the Bahamian lionfish is egg and larval dispersal from the United States east coast population, and support previous models of reef fish dispersal that suggest a low level of connectivity between the Bahamas and east coast of Florida.
Related Papers (5)
Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans reduce recruitment of Atlantic coral-reef fishes
Mark A. Albins,Mark A. Hixon +1 more
Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Bahamian archipelago
James A. Morris,John L. Akins +1 more