Growth, site fidelity, and grouper interactions of the Red Sea lionfish Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae) in its native habitat

2018 ◽  
Vol 165 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur R. Bos ◽  
Justin R. Grubich ◽  
Ashraf M. Sanad
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Growth Site ◽  
Pterois Miles ◽  
Native Habitat

scholarly journals Genetic Data Suggest Multiple Introductions of the Lionfish (Pterois miles) into the Mediterranean Sea

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas C. Dimitriou ◽  
Niki Chartosia ◽  
Jason M. Hall-Spencer ◽  
Periklis Kleitou ◽  
Carlos Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Multiple Introductions ◽  
Pterois Miles ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Successful Invader ◽  
Northern Red Sea

Widespread reports over the last six years confirm the establishment of lionfish (Pterois miles) populations in the eastern Mediterranean. Accumulated knowledge on lionfish invasions in the western Atlantic Ocean has shown that it is a successful invader and can have negative impacts on native species, indirect ecological repercussions and economic effects on local human societies. Here we analysed genetic sequences of lionfish from Cyprus as well as data from the whole distribution of the species, targeting the mtDNA markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the control region (CR). Our results reflect a pattern of repeated introductions into the Mediterranean from the northern Red Sea and a secondary spread of this species west to Rhodes and Sicily. Presented results agree with previously published studies highlighting the genetic similarity with individuals from the northern Red Sea. Nevertheless, some individuals from Cyprus, in addition to those coming via the Suez Canal, were genetically similar to fish from the Indian Ocean, indicating genetic homogeneity among populations of P. miles across its current distribution, possibly facilitated by the ornamental fish trade and/or transport through ballast water.

Changing relative abundance and behaviour of silky and grey reef sharks baited over 12 years on a Red Sea reef

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 909 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Clarke ◽  
J. S. E. Lea ◽  
R. F. G. Ormond
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Fishing Pressure ◽  
Reef Shark ◽  
Silky Shark ◽  
Regional Population ◽  
Reef Sharks

There is a lack of studies on how provisioning may influence shark numbers and behaviour. The effects of long-term provisioning were investigated at a Red Sea reef, where both grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) occurred. Initially, grey reef sharks outnumbered silky sharks, but over 6 years, silky shark numbers increased almost 20-fold, whereas grey-reef sightings decreased >90%. Following this, silky-shark sightings also declined considerably (>80%). It is suggested that these declines could relate to local overfishing. Many silky sharks were identified individually through distinctive markings or conventional tagging. Some individual silky sharks were recorded regularly over 2 years or more, but most appeared to be transient visitors. Sighting records indicated that provisioning extended the residency of transient individuals. If visiting silky sharks were drawn from a larger regional population, this would explain both their initial accumulation and why, to begin with, sightings were sustained despite local fishing pressure. Conversely, the site fidelity typical of grey reef sharks would have made them more susceptible to local depletion. Silky sharks were recorded as behaving more boldly when present in greater numbers, but the decline in grey reef sharks appears to be unrelated to the initial increase in the numbers of silky shark.

Little spatial and temporal segregation between coexisting lionfishes (Pterois miles and Pterois radiata) in the Red Sea

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Tal Gavriel ◽  
Jonathan Belmaker
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Temporal Partitioning ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Pterois Miles ◽  
Temporal Segregation ◽  
Coexistence Mechanisms ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Spatial and temporal niche partitioning are common strategies to reduce competition between closely related species. While spatial partitioning is widely studied, temporal partitioning, especially in marine environments, is much less documented. The lionfish Pterois miles is common in the Red Sea and have recently established populations within the Mediterranean Sea. However, to date, the sympatric and closely related Pterois radiata has yet to become established outside its native range. In this study, we focus on describing spatio-temporal patterns of activity in P. miles and P. radiata within their native range. This may help understand their coexistence mechanisms and whether the presence of one species can influence the probability of the other species to become established. We used visual surveys across day and night to assess activity patterns and the tendency of the species to co-occur. We found that while P. miles is a flexible crepuscular, P. radiata is strictly nocturnal. However, we detected only slight spatio-temporal segregation between the species. Hence, the coexistence of these two species may not be related to habitat or temporal partitioning. However, we do find a more generalist behavior of P. miles in terms of activity duration, which adds to its known broad diet and habitat use patterns, and may jointly explain its introduction success.

scholarly journals No evidence for conspecific recruitment for cooperative hunting in lionfish Pterois miles

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 210828
Author(s):  
Hanaa Sarhan ◽  
Redouan Bshary
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Pterois Miles ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Cooperative Hunting ◽  
Potential Partner ◽  
Swimming Mode ◽  
Natural Range ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Confined Environment

Lionfish are common piscivores in the Indo-Pacific and invasive in the Caribbean. A fin flaring pattern, involving a rapid undulation of the caudal fin and sequential turning of both pectoral fins, was described in zebra lionfish as a signal to initiate cooperative hunting, and it was hypothesized that such hunting tactics may also exist in other lionfish species and contribute to their successful invasion in the Caribbean. Here, we investigated one of those invasive species, Pterois miles , in its natural range in the Red Sea. We did not observe evidence for cooperative hunting in the field. We complemented field observations with a laboratory experiment aimed at inducing subjects to recruit partners for cooperative hunts, exposing subjects to inaccessible prey in transparent housing as well as to a potential partner. We regularly observed the fin flaring pattern, but importantly, it was not directed at the partner. Thus, rather than being a signal, the fin flaring movement pattern seems to be a swimming mode in a confined environment. Furthermore, the two lionfish did not aggregate at the prey housing, reinforcing the field results that this species in the Red Sea does not depend on cooperation to hunt fish.

Averting robo-bees: why free-flying robotic bees are a bad idea

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-729
Author(s):  
Roslyn Gleadow ◽  
Jim Hanan ◽  
Alan Dorin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Food Security ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Plant Insect Interactions ◽  
Native Habitat ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Insect Interactions

Food security and the sustainability of native ecosystems depends on plant-insect interactions in countless ways. Recently reported rapid and immense declines in insect numbers due to climate change, the use of pesticides and herbicides, the introduction of agricultural monocultures, and the destruction of insect native habitat, are all potential contributors to this grave situation. Some researchers are working towards a future where natural insect pollinators might be replaced with free-flying robotic bees, an ecologically problematic proposal. We argue instead that creating environments that are friendly to bees and exploring the use of other species for pollination and bio-control, particularly in non-European countries, are more ecologically sound approaches. The computer simulation of insect-plant interactions is a far more measured application of technology that may assist in managing, or averting, ‘Insect Armageddon' from both practical and ethical viewpoints.

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