Ecological impacts of an invasive mesopredator do not differ from those of a native mesopredator: lionfish in Caribbean Panama

Samhouri, Jameal F.; Stier, Adrian C.

doi:10.1007/s00338-021-02132-8

i

Ecological impacts of an invasive mesopredator do not differ from those of a native mesopredator: lionfish in Caribbean Panama

2021
By: Samhouri, Jameal F. ; Stier, Adrian C.
Source: Coral Reefs, 40(5), 1593-1600

Details

Journal Title:

Coral Reefs
Personal Author:

Samhouri, Jameal F. ; Stier, Adrian C.
NOAA Program & Office:

CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System) ; NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) ; NWFSC (Northwest Fisheries Science Center)
Description:

The impacts of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) on native coral reef populations in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea can be enormous. However, how much lionfish differ from native predators and whether their effects outweigh the abundant mesopredators that occupy many reefs invite continued examination. Here, we present empirical evidence from Caribbean Panama and beyond suggesting that lionfish are less abundant than native mesopredators. Furthermore, we show that their direct impacts on survivorship and size distributions of one native prey species are similar to those of a native mesopredator. These results support calls for lionfish management that considers evolving local ecological and social dynamics, including prey community composition, the roles of native mesopredators, and regional goals for conservation and fisheries. Recognition of regional context creates the potential for synergies between conservation actions aimed both at the invasion and other consequential problems such as overexploitation and climate change.
Keywords:
- Aquatic Science
Source:

Coral Reefs, 40(5), 1593-1600
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-021-02132-8
ISSN:

0722-4028 ; 1432-0975
Format:

PDF
Publisher:

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Document Type:

Journal Article
License:

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Rights Information:

CC BY
Compliance:

Library
Download URL:

https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/62350/noaa_62350_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 573.66 KB]
Collection(s):

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) ; Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:8c53cc9ed8ffcdf5ceae08c7554f759bd9356820d05a0d1f9a57b7a97d954daa0dbafd748ca78a7c6990725ef44dc6438457bc28d49b4fc1bf3cff38f6bf6ded

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