Abstract
Lionfish (Pterois volitans) invaded the Caribbean region with the potential to alter the composition and structure of native coral reef fish communities. The objective of this study was to analyze the diversity indices of these fish communities potentially affected by lionfish predation and to compare with pre-invasion data. The study was undertaken in two Caribbean marine protected areas (MPAs): Guanahacabibes National Park (PNG) in W Cuba and Xcalak Reefs National Park (PNAX) in S Quintana Roo. We carried out visual censuses of fish species in reef habitats during the dry and rainy seasons of the period 2013-2015. For this, nine sites were defined and evaluated using stationary counts. Our results showed higher species richness (43.47 ± 5.14) and mean abundance (0.76 ± 1.25) in PNG than in PNAX (40.22 ± 4.96, 0.19 ± 0.46, respectively). Diversity decreased after the arrival of lionfish in a single site of PNG and in two sites of the PNAX, but apparently, these results are more related to the fishing activity effect than to the lionfish presence. Based on the results and assuming that changes in the native fish communities by lionfish may not yet be detected, we recommend to continue the monitoring community descriptions in order to detect future changes in native fish communities.
Highlights
Actualmente, muchos grupos de gestión y conservación de los ecosistemas utilizan el declive de la diversidad como medio para justificar las decisiones en políticas de manejo (Heller & Zavaleta, 2009; Rands et al, 2010; Wong, Jiang, Kinzig, Lee, & Ouyang, 2015)
Se ha demostrado la efectividad de las AMPs respecto al incremento de la riqueza de especies de peces en arrecifes coralinos (Gell & Roberts, 2002; Willis, 2003; Palumbi, 2004), también como en el aumento de la resiliencia en comunidades arrecifales (Mellin, MacNeil, Cheal, Emslie, & Caley, 2016); sin embargo, el sistema global actual de AMP es insuficiente para proteger la diversidad total de corales y peces (Mouillot et al, 2016)
El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los índices de diversidad en las comunidades de peces nativos en sitios invadidos por el pez león en dos áreas marinas protegidas (AMP) del Caribe y compararlos con datos previos a la invasión
Summary
Actualmente, muchos grupos de gestión y conservación de los ecosistemas utilizan el declive de la diversidad como medio para justificar las decisiones en políticas de manejo (Heller & Zavaleta, 2009; Rands et al, 2010; Wong, Jiang, Kinzig, Lee, & Ouyang, 2015).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
