Abstract
The Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) are the first nonnative marine fishes to establish in the Western North Atlantic/Caribbean region. The chronology of the invasion was reported last year (Schofield 2009) using records from the US Geological Survey’s Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database. This article provides an update of lionfish geographic spread (as of October 2010) and predictions of future range.
Highlights
In a previous report (Schofield 2009), information on the invasion chronology of the lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) was provided using records from the US Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database (USGS-NAS 2010)
Florida Keys – Lionfishes were not found in the Florida Keys until relatively recently (January 2009); much later than they were found in significant numbers along the Atlantic coast of Florida north of Miami
The first Florida Keys lionfish was found at Benwood Ledge at a depth of 20 m
Summary
In a previous report (Schofield 2009), information on the invasion chronology of the lionfishes (Pterois volitans [Linnaeus, 1758] and P. miles [Bennett, 1828]: Family Scorpaenidae) was provided using records from the US Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database (USGS-NAS 2010). Lionfishes are the first marine fishes to invade the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and have potential to add additional stress to an environment already compromised by overfishing, pollution and global climate change. Because the invasions are relatively new, it is unclear exactly how lionfishes will affect these ecosystems. This invasion illustrates the speed with which non-native marine fishes are able to spread through new coastal systems
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