Pterois

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"Lionfish" redirects here. For other possible meanings, see Lionfish (disambiguation).
Pterois
Pterois antennata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Scorpaeniformes
Family: Scorpaenidae
Subfamily: Pteroinae
Genus: Pterois
Oken, 1817
Species

See text.

Pterois, commonly known as lionfish, is a genus of venomous marine fish found mostly in the Indo-Pacific. Pterois is characterized by conspicuous warning coloration with red, white, creamy, or black bands, showy pectoral fins and venomous spiky fin rays.[1][2] Pterois are classified into a number of different species, but Pterois radiata, Pterois volitans and Pterois miles are the most commonly studied. Pterois are popular aquarium fish.[1]

Species

P. volitans

There are currently 10 recognized species in this genus:[3]

Description

Pterois in the Atlantic range from 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 45 centimetres (18 in) in length, weighing from 25 grams (0.88 oz) to 1.3 kilograms (2.9 lb).[2][4][5] They are well known for their ornate beauty, venomous spines and unique tentacles.[6][7] Juvenile lionfish have a unique tentacle located above their eye sockets that varies in phenotype between species.[6] It is suggested that the evolution of this tentacle serves to continually attract new prey; studies also suggest that it plays a role in sexual selection.[6]

Ecology and behavior

Pterois can live from five to fifteen years and have complex courtship and mating behaviors.[8] Females release two mucus-filled egg clusters frequently, which can contain as many as fifteen thousand eggs.[8][9] Studies on Pterois reproductive habits have increased significantly in the past decade.[9] All the species are aposematic: they have conspicuous coloration with boldly contrasting stripes and wide fans of projecting spines, advertising their ability to defend themselves.[10]

Prey

Pterois miles hunting glassfish

According to a study that involved the dissection of over 1,400 lionfish stomachs from Bahamian to North Carolinian waters, Pterois prey mostly on small fish, invertebrates and mollusks in large amounts, with some specimens’ stomachs containing up to six different species of prey.[4] The amount of prey in lionfish stomachs over the course of the day suggest that lionfish feed most actively from 7:00–11:00 am, with decreased feeding throughout the afternoon. Lionfish are skilled hunters, using specialized bilateral swim bladder muscles to provide exquisite control of location in the water column, allowing the fish to alter its center of gravity to better attack prey.[4] The lionfish then spreads its large pectoral fins and swallows its prey in a single motion.[8] Researchers have also noted that lionfish blow jets of water while approaching prey, apparently in order to disorient them.[11]

Predators and parasites

Aside from instances of larger lionfish individuals engaging in cannibalism on smaller individuals, adult lionfish have few identified natural predators. This is likely due to the effectiveness of their venomous spines. Moray eels (family Muraenidae),[12] bluespotted cornetfish (Fistularia commersonii) and large groupers, like the tiger grouper (Mycteroperca tigris)[13] and Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), have been observed preying on lionfish.[14][15][16] It remains unknown, however, how commonly these predators prey on lionfish.[17] Sharks are also believed to be capable of preying on lionfish with no ill-effects from their spines.[18] Park officials of the Roatan Marine Park in Honduras have attempted to train sharks to feed on lionfish as of 2011 in an attempt to control the invasive populations in the Caribbean.[19] Predators of larvae and juvenile lionfish remain unknown, but may prove to be the primary limiting factor of lionfish populations in their native range.[12]

Parasites of lionfish have rarely been observed and are assumed to be infrequent. They include isopods and leeches.[20]

Hazard to humans

Lionfish are known for their venomous fin rays, a feature that is uncommon among marine fish in the East Coast coral reefs. The potency of their venom makes them excellent predators and poisonous to fishermen and divers.[2] Pterois venom produced negative inotropic and chronotropic effects when tested in both frog and clam hearts[21] and has a depressing effect on rabbit blood pressure.[22] These results are thought to be due to nitric oxide release.[7] In humans, Pterois venom can cause systemic effects such as extreme pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, breathing difficulties, convulsions, dizziness, redness on the affected area, headache, numbness, paresthesia (pins and needles), heartburn, diarrhea, and sweating. Rarely, such stings can cause temporary paralysis of the limbs, heart failure and even death. Fatalities are common in very young children, the elderly, those with a weak immune system or those who are allergic to their venom. Their venom is rarely fatal to healthy humans, but some species have enough venom to produce extreme discomfort for over a period of several days. However, Pterois venom is a danger to allergic victims as they may experience anaphylaxis, a serious and often life threatening condition that requires immediate emergency medical treatment. Severe allergic reactions to Pterois venom include chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, swelling of the tongue, sweating, runny nose, or slurred speech. Such reactions can be fatal if not treated.

Lionfish are edible if prepared correctly.[23]

Native range and habitat

Pterois radiata is endemic to the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific

The lionfish is a predator native to the Indo-Pacific. It aggressively preys on small fish and invertebrates. They can be found around the seaward edge of reefs and coral, in lagoons, and on rocky surfaces to fifty meters. They show a preference for turbid inshore areas and in harbors.[24] Lionfish have a generally hostile attitude and are territorial towards other reef fish.[25] Many universities in the Indo-Pacific have documented reports of Pterois aggression towards divers and researchers.[25]

Invasive introduction and range

See also: Pterois volitans and Pterois miles

Two of the nine species of Pterois, the red lionfish (P. volitans) and the common lionfish (P. miles), have established themselves as significant invasive species off the East Coast of the United States and in the Caribbean. About 93% of the invasive population in the Western Atlantic is P. volitans.[26]

The red lionfish is found off the East Coast of the United States and the Caribbean Sea, and was likely first introduced off the Florida coast by the early to mid-1990s.[27] It has been speculated that this introduction may have occurred in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed an aquarium in southern Florida, releasing six lionfish into Biscayne Bay.[28] The lionfish resemble those of the Philippines, implicating the aquarium trade.[29] However, a lionfish was discovered off the coast of Dania Beach, south Florida as early as 1985, prior to Hurricane Andrew.[4][30][31] The lionfish may have been purposefully discarded by unsatisfied aquarium enthusiasts.[29] In 2001, NOAA documented multiple sightings of lionfish off the coast of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Bermuda, and they were first detected in the Bahamas in 2004.[32] Recently (June 2013) they have been discovered as far east as Barbados,[33] and as far south as Los Roques Archipelago and many Venezuelan continental beaches.[34]

P. volitans comprises the largest part of the invasive lionfish population in the Atlantic and Caribbean

Pterois volitans and Pterois miles are native to sub-tropical and tropical regions from southern Japan and southern Korea to the east coast of Australia, Indonesia, Micronesia, French Polynesia and in the South Pacific Ocean.[24] Adult lionfish specimens are now found along the United States East Coast from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to Florida, and in Bermuda, the Bahamas, and throughout the Caribbean, including the Turks and Caicos, Haiti, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, Belize, Honduras and Mexico.[2] Population densities continue to increase in the invaded areas, resulting in a population boom of up to 700% in some areas between 2004 and 2008.[35] Population densities have reached levels that are orders of magnitude greater than in their native ranges.[36]

Pterois are known for devouring many other aquarium fishes.[29] Pterois are unusual in that they are among the few fish species to successfully establish populations in open marine systems.[37]

Pelagic larval dispersion is assumed to occur through oceanic currents, including the Gulf Stream and the Caribbean Current. It is projected that currents could eventually result in new populations along the Gulf Coast.[38] Ballast water can also contribute to the dispersal.[39]

Extreme temperatures present geographical constraints in the distribution of aquatic species,[40] indicating that temperature tolerance plays a role in the lionfish’s survival, reproduction and range of distribution.[41] Observational studies have shown that the abrupt differences in water temperatures north and south of Cape Hatteras directly correlate with the abundance and distribution of Pterois.[40] Pterois expanded along the entire eastern coast of the United States and occupied thermal-appropriate zones within ten years.[40] Although the timeline of observations points to the east coast of Florida as the initial source of the western Atlantic invasion, the relationship of the United States East Coast and Bahamian lionfish invasion is uncertain.[42]

Control and eradication efforts

P. miles makes up about seven percent of the invasive lionfish population in the Atlantic and Caribbean

The population density of the invasive lionfish is increasing very quickly, and efforts are underway in several areas to bring it under control. However, to completely eradicate the lionfish from its new habitats seems unlikely. A study from 2010 using population modeling used data collected about the known life history of the lionfish inhabiting the Caribbean coral reefs to figure out the best means of eradication. The study showed that the most effective way to even maintain current lionfish population densities, at least 27% of the invasive adult populations would have to be killed monthly. The fact that lionfish are able to reproduce monthly throughout the entire year means that this is an effort that must be maintained monthly for the maintenance of current population densities.[43]

Even to accomplish these numbers seems unlikely, but as populations of lionfish continue to grow throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, actions are being taken to attempt to control the quickly growing numbers. In November 2010, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary began to give out licenses to divers to kill lionfish inside of the sanctuary. This is the first time this has ever been done for any species in the sanctuary, in a desperate attempt to eradicate the fish. Rigorous and repeated removal of lionfish from invaded waters will be necessary to establish control on the exponentially expanding population.[2] Many conservation groups across the Eastern United States are organizing hunting expeditions for Pterois. The Environment Education Foundation recently hosted its third ‘lionfish derby’ in Florida, offering more than $3,000 in prize money for dive teams catching the most lionfish.[44] Community organizations are forming across the country in hopes of halting the ever expanding lionfish population.[44] Divemasters from Cozumel to the Honduran Bay Islands routinely spear Lionfish during dives, sometimes killing as many as eight in an hour. Divers at Reef Conservation International's headquarters off Punta Gorda, Belize spear an average of 30 lionfish per dive, with the single diver maximum record being 54 on one dive. Based on average kills per dive, a professional diver could easily kill 3000 to 4000 Lionfish per year (3 dives per day, 6 days per week, averaging 4+ kills per dive).[citation needed]

Other interest groups, such as NOAA, are setting up events and campaigns that encourage the killing and eating of the fish.[36] Many people are wary of the idea of eating a venomous fish, but when properly filleted the fish is perfectly healthy to eat. Encouraging the consumption of lionfish could not only help to maintain a reasonable population density, but also provide an alternative fishing source to other overfished populations, such as grouper and snapper. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation has even prepared a cookbook to help educate restaurant chefs on how they can incorporate the fish into their menu. The NOAA calls the lionfish a "delicious, delicately flavored fish" similar in texture to grouper.[44] Many recipes for lionfish can be found in coastal cookbooks, some including fried lionfish, lionfish ceviche, lionfish jerky and grilled lionfish.[45]

P. radiata

The invasiveness of the red lionfish is an extreme problem, and relatively little information is still known about the animal. The NOAA has research foci in place to better understand the fish and the implications surround its invasive nature. Some of these include investigating biotechnical solutions for control of the population, and understanding how the larvae are dispersed. Another important area of study is what controls the population in its native area. Researchers hope to discover what moderates lionfish populations in the Indo-Pacific and apply this information to control the invasive populations, without introducing additional invasive species. NOAA also plans to further its "Lionfish as Food" campaign, since human hunting of the fish is the only form of control known as of September 2013. The NOAA also encourages people to report lionfish sightings, to help track lionfish population dispersal.[46]

Long term effects of invasion

Lionfish have successfully pioneered the coastal waters of the Atlantic in less than a decade and pose a major threat to reef ecological systems in these areas. A study published in 2006 comparing their abundance from Florida to North Carolina with several species of groupers found that they were second only to the native scamp grouper and equally abundant to the graysby, gag, and rock hind.[2] This could be due to a surplus of resource availability resulting from the over-fishing of lionfish predators like grouper.[47] Although the lionfish has not expanded to a population size that is currently causing major ecological problems, their invasion in the United States coastal waters could lead to serious problems in the future. One likely ecological impact caused by Pterois could be their impact on prey population numbers by directly affecting food web relationships. This could ultimately lead to reef deterioration and could negatively influence Atlantic trophic cascade.[8] It has already been shown that lionfish overpopulate reef areas and display aggressive tendencies, forcing native species to move to waters where conditions might be less than desirable.[2] Studies show that lionfish could be decreasing Atlantic reef diversity by up to 80%.[25] In July 2011, lionfish were reported for the first time in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Louisiana.[48] Sanctuary officials said they believe the species will be a permanent fixture, but hope to monitor and possibly limit their presence.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pterois.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 National Geographic. "Lionfish". 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Whitfield PE, Hare J a, David AW, et al. Abundance estimates of the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans/miles complex in the Western North Atlantic. Biological Invasions. 2006;9(1):53–64. Available at: http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/labs/panama/documents/2006_Whitfield_et_al_Biol_Inv-1.pdf
  3. ↑ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2012). Species of Pterois in FishBase. December 2012 version.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Morris, J. a, & Akins, J. L. (2009). Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Bahamian archipelago. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 86(3), 389–398. doi:10.1007/s10641-009-9538-8.
  5. ↑ Randall JE, Allen GR, Steene RC (1997) Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Morris, J. a, & Freshwater, D. W. (2007). Phenotypic variation of lionfish supraocular tentacles. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 83(2), 237–241. doi:10.1007/s10641-007-9326-2.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Church, J. E., & Hodgson, W. C. (2002). Adrenergic and cholinergic activity contributes to the cardiovascular effects of lionfish (Pterois volitans) venom. Toxicon, 40, 787–796.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Ruizcarus, R., Mathesonjr, R., Robertsjr, D., & Whitfield, P. (2006). 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. Biological Conservation, 128(3), 384–390. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.10.012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Fishelson, L. (1997). Experiments and observations on food consumption, growth and starvation in Dendrochirus brachypterus and Pterois volitans (Pteroinae, Atema, 1980) 391–403.
  10. ↑ Karleskint, George; Turner, Richard L.; Small, James W. (2009). Introduction to Marine Biology. Cengage Learning. p. 276. 
  11. ↑ Jane J. Lee (24 February 2012). "Video: Huffing and Puffing For Dinner". ScienceNOW. Retrieved 27 February 2012. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Terry J. Donaldson, David Benavente, & Roxie Diaz (2010). "Why are lionfishes (Pterois, Scorpaenidae) so rare in their native ranges?". Proceedings of the 63rd Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (November 1–5, 2010 San Juan, Puerto Rico) (Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute) (1–5 November): 352–359. 
  13. ↑ Maljković, a, Leeuwen, T. E., & Cove, S. N. (2008). Predation on the invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Pisces: Scorpaenidae), by native groupers in the Bahamas. Coral Reefs, 27(3), 501–501. doi:10.1007/s00338-008-0372-9.
  14. ↑ Mark A. Albins & Mark A. Hixon (2008). "Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans reduce recruitment of Atlantic coral-reef fishes". Marine Ecology Progress Series (Inter-Research) 367: 233–238. doi:10.3354/meps07620. 
  15. ↑ Ming Leung (19 August 2009). "SW11 Can Blue Cornetfish be used as Biocontrol?". Aquatic Invasive Species, Duke University. Retrieved 31 December 2011. 
  16. ↑ Pam Fuller (19 August 2009). "Pterois volitans/miles Fact Sheet". Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS), United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 31 December 2011. 
  17. ↑ J.A. Morris, Jr., and P.E. Whitfield (2009). "Biology, Ecology, Control and Management of the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish: An Updated Integrated Assessment". NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 99. 57 pp.
  18. ↑ Nicola S. Smith & Kathleen Sullivan Sealey (2007). "The Lionfish Invasion in the Bahamas: What do We Know and What to do About It?". Proceedings of the 60th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (November 5–9, 2007 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic) (Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute): 419–423. 
  19. ↑ Brian Handwerk (4 April 2011). "Shark's Lionfish Lunch". National Geographic Daily News. Retrieved 31 December 2011. 
  20. ↑ Trevor Poole (2011). "The sensitivity of the invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans, to parasitism in Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean". Physis (CIEE Research Station Bonaire Tropical Marine Ecology & Conservation Program) 9 (Spring): 44–49. 
  21. ↑ Cohen, A.S., Olek, A.J., 1989. An extract of lionfish (Pterois volitans) spine tissue contains acetylcholine and a toxin that affects neuromuscular transmission. Toxicon 27, 1367.
  22. ↑ Sauners, P.R., Taylor, P.B., 1959. Venom of the lionfish Pterois volitans. Am. J. Physiol. 197, 437.
  23. ↑ Eat lionfish? Sure, but beware of the nasty toxins June 27, 2012 NBC News
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Schultz, ET. (1986). Pterois volitans and Pterois miles: Two valid species. Copeia 1986:686–690
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian Reef Fishes, Second Edition. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. p. 298.
  26. ↑ Hamner, R.M, et al. 2007. Mitochondrial cytochrome b analysis reveals two invasive lionfish species with strong founder effects in the western Atlantic. Journal of Fish Biology. 71:214–222.
  27. ↑ Whitfield, P; Gardner, T; Vives, SP; Gilligan, MR; Courtney Jr, WR; Ray, GC; Hare, JA (2003). "The Introduction and Dispersal of the Indo-Pacific Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Along the Atlantic Coast of North America.". In: SF Norton (ed). Diving for Science...2003. Proceedings of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (22nd Annual Scientific Diving Symposium). Retrieved 13 August 2008. 
  28. ↑ Goddard, Jacqui (20 October 2008). "Lionfish devastate Florida's native shoals". The Times. London. Retrieved 12 July 2009. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/lion03_blame.html
  30. ↑ "Mystery of the Lionfish: Don't Blame Hurricane Andrew". Science (Journal). 29 April 2010. 
  31. ↑ Schofield, P.J. 2009. geographic extent and chronology of the invasion of non-native lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in the Western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Aquatic Invasions 4:473–479
  32. ↑ Whitfield, P.E., et al. 2002. Biological invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans along the Atlantic coast of North America. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 235:289–297.
  33. ↑ http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/lionfish-catch/ref name="nnbarb">"Lionfish found here". NationNews. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012. 
  34. ↑ Lasso-Alcalá, O.; Posada, J. (2010). "Presence of the invasive red lionfish, Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758), on the coast of Venezuela, southeastern Caribbean Sea". Aquatic Invasions 5: S53. doi:10.3391/ai.2010.5.S1.013. 
  35. ↑ Whitfield, P.E., et al. 2007. Abundance estimates of the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans/miles complex in the Western North Atlantic. Biological Invasions 9:53–64.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Nigel Williams (2010). "Major lionfish hunt launched". Current Biology 20 (23): R1005–R1006. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2010.11.048. 
  37. ↑ Baltz, D.M., 1991. Introduced fishes in marine systems and inland seas. Biol. Conserv. 56, 151–177.
  38. ↑ Cowen, R.K. et al. 2006. Scaling of connectivity in marine populations. Science 311: 522–526.
  39. ↑ Whitfield, Paula E., Jonathan A. Hare, Andrew W. David, Stacey L. Harter, Roldan C. Muñoz,and Christine M. Addison. (2007). Abundance estimates of the Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans/miles complex in the Western North Atlantic. Biological Invasions 9: 53- 64.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Kimball, Me, Jm Miller, Pe Whitfield, and Ja Hare. "Thermal Tolerance and Potential Distribution of Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles Complex) on the East Coast of the United States." Marine Ecology Progress Series 283 (2004): 269–78.
  41. ↑ Whitfield, Pe, T. Gardner, Sp Vives, Mr Gilligan, Wr Courtenay Ray, Gc Ray, and Ja Hare. "Biological Invasion of the Indo-Pacific Lionfish Pterois volitans along the Atlantic Coast of North America." Marine Ecology Progress Series 235 (2002): 289–97.
  42. ↑ Wilson Freshwater, D., Hines, A., Parham, S., Wilbur, A., Sabaoun, M., Woodhead, J., et al. (2009). 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. Marine Biology, 156(6), 1213–1221. doi:10.1007/s00227-009-1163-8.
  43. ↑ Morris, J.A., and Shertzer, K.A. 2011. A stage-based matrix population model of invasive lionfish with implications for control. Biological Invasions 13:7–12.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Major lionfish hunt Q & A Lars Chittka. (1992). Current Biology, 1005–1006.
  45. ↑ http://www.lionfishhunter.com/Lionfish%20Recipes.html
  46. ↑ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science "Have You Seen Me?"
  47. ↑ Davis MA, Grime JP, Thompson K (2000) Fluctuating resources in plant communities: a general theory of invasibility. J Ecol 88:528–534
  48. ↑ "Lionfish Invastion Reaches Gulf Marine Sanctuary". 5 August 2011. 

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