Abstract

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.

Highlights

  • The ecological impacts of invasive species can have major economic, social, and cultural consequences (Pejchar and Mooney 2009)

  • We show that their direct impacts on survivorship and size distributions of one native prey species are similar to those of a native mesopredator

  • A conspicuous exception is the introduction of Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) to the Atlantic in the 1980s and their rapid spread in the 2000s

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Summary

Introduction

The ecological impacts of invasive species can have major economic, social, and cultural consequences (Pejchar and Mooney 2009). How much lionfish differ from native predators and whether their effects outweigh the abundant mesopredators that occupy many reefs invite continued examination.

Results
Conclusion
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