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

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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-410
Author(s):  
Courtney L. Angelo ◽  
David J. Rosen ◽  
James J. Lange

This is the first record of Eleocharis mutata in Florida, and the second record in the continental USA, suggesting a potential natural range expansion of this species from the Caribbean region. A key to species of Eleocharis subg. Limnochloa in Florida is included, along with a site description of the occurrence, visual aids for identification, and a brief discussion of nativity.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F Bruno

Mumby et al. (2011) tested the biotic resistance hypothesis by comparing the biomass of invasive lionfish (introduced from the Indo-Pacific) and native grouper (Serranidae) at 12 sites within and adjacent to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, The Bahamas. They reported that mean lionfish biomass was slightly lower within the reserve, compared to adjacent fished sites, and that there was a negative relationship between the biomass of lionfish and grouper. However, their study has a number of limitations and does not constitute sufficient evidence of a level of biotic resistance that would be ecologically meaningful. For example, the study design is pseudoreplicated and the biomass of lionfish is extremely low relative to observed values across the Caribbean. Furthermore, the effect size (assuming that there is an effect of native grouper) is very small compared to the natural range of lionfish biomass. Given the problems with Mumby et al. (2011) and evidence from other studies (e.g., Hackerott et al. 2013) that the biomass of lionfish and grouper is unrelated, it seems clear that managers cannot rely on native grouper populations to control the lionfish invasion.


Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas C. Dimitriou ◽  
Niki Chartosia ◽  
Jason M. Hall-Spencer ◽  
Periklis Kleitou ◽  
Carlos Jimenez ◽  
...  

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 20140281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oona M. Lönnstedt ◽  
Maud C. O. Ferrari ◽  
Douglas P. Chivers

Despite considerable study, mystery surrounds the use of signals that initiate cooperative hunting in animals. Using a labyrinth test chamber, we examined whether a lionfish, Dendrochirus zebra , would initiate cooperative hunts with piscine partners. We found that D. zebra uses a stereotyped flared fin display to alert conspecific and heterospecific lionfish species Pterois antennata to the presence of prey. Per capita success rate was significantly higher for cooperative hunters when compared with solitary ones, with hunt responders assisting hunt initiators in cornering the prey using their large extended pectoral fins. The initiators would most often take the first strike at the group of prey, but both hunters would then alternate striking at the remaining prey. Results suggest that the cooperative communication signal may be characteristic to the lionfish family, as interspecific hunters were equally coordinated and successful as intraspecific hunters. Our findings emphasize the complexity of collaborative foraging behaviours in lionfish; the turn-taking in strikes suggests that individuals do not solely try to maximize their own hunting success: instead they equally share the resources between themselves. Communicative group hunting has enabled Pteroine fish to function as highly efficient predators.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3165 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEVIN J. TILBROOK

Geographically widespread material originally assigned to the Floridan species Bryopesanser pesanseris (Smitt, 1873)was thoroughly examined and found to mask a hitherto unknown diversity. Smitt’s (1873) species has previously beennoted as “well-known and widely distributed” but this is not the case. This paper reviews the species previously assignedto Bryopesanser Tilbrook, 2006 (B. pesanseris, B. capitaneus, B. grandicella, and B. latesco) and describes 11 new species(B. tonsillorum n. sp., B. gardineri n. sp., B. puncturella n. sp., B. thricyng n. sp., B. ascendosolaris n. sp., B. ecphyma-totes n. sp., B. hebelomaia n. sp., B. lobiones n. sp., B. crebricollis n. sp., B. baderae n. sp., B. tiara n. sp.). All the Bry-opesanser species are, to a greater or lesser extent, geographically limited in their distribution. However, two species aremore widespread than the rest and truly Indo-Pacific in their distribution: B. latesco is recorded from the Red Sea, acrossthe Indo-Pacific to the Caribbean coast of Panama; B. tonsillorum n.sp. is even more broadly distributed, from Sri Lanka and Indonesia to the Pacific coast of Colombia and also West Africa.


2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 595-598
Author(s):  
Razy Hoffman

Abstract The minute red alga Crouania pumila (Callithamniaceae: Rhodophyta), recently described from the Caribbean Sea, is reported for the first time from the Red Sea, approximately 12,000 km from the type locality, based on microscope slide specimens collected 40 years ago by Dr. Yaacov Lipkin. These samples contribute new information regarding the reproduction of this algal species.


2013 ◽  
Vol 579-580 ◽  
pp. 451-459
Author(s):  
Yang Wei Wang ◽  
Jin Bo Tan ◽  
Bao Tong Gu ◽  
Dong Biao Zhao

Fishes have evolved remarkable swimming abilities after years of evolution which inspire scientists and engineers to develop new underwater robots that mimic different kinds of fishes. Stingray is a unique species among median and/or paired fin (MPF) mode fishes which undulates the enlarged pectoral fins while swimming. In this paper, a biomimetic prototype design and a developed undulating fin propulsor that mimics stingrays are presented. Kinematic model of the undulating fin is built. The flexibility of the curved surface is checked by the fitting results. Detailed mechanism structure and control system design of the bionic prototype are illustrated. The simulation experiments of the propulsor were conducted on the ground and the results show that an approximated harmonic wave can be generated on each side fin. The feasibility of the motion control method is verified.


1994 ◽  
Vol 192 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Dewar ◽  
J Graham

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) swimming kinematics was studied in a large water tunnel at controlled swimming velocities (U). Quantified kinematic variables included the tail-beat frequency, stride length (l), caudal amplitude, yaw, the propulsive wavelength, the speed of the propulsive wave (C) and the sweepback angle of the pectoral fins. In general, all variables, except the propulsive wavelength and consequently C, are comparable to values determined for other teleosts. The propulsive wavelength for the tunas (1.23­1.29 L, where L is fork length) is 30­60 % longer than in other cruise-adapted teleosts such as salmonids. The resulting thunniform swimming mode and the morphological and anatomical adaptations associated with the long propulsive wavelength (e.g. fusiform body shape, rigid vertebral column) act to minimize anterior resistance and maximize caudal thrust. The long propulsive wavelength also increases the maximum l which, in concert with the elevated muscle temperatures of tunas, increases their maximum swimming velocity.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document