Title: ECOLOGICAL DRIVERS OF LIONFISH AGGREGATIONS ON MESOPHOTIC REEFS IN BERMUDA

Abstract: Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are now ubiquitous throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, having established themselves in a variety of marine habitats. Recent surveys in Bermuda have revealed dense aggregations of lionfish on mesophotic reefs (60m depth), yet these densities are not pervasive across reefs at this depth. Using diver-led in situ surveys of mesophotic reef sites, this study examines how variations in prey fish communities may affect lionfish distribution. A significant correlation was found between prey fish biomass and lionfish density, where sites with a higher biomass of prey fish have higher densities of lionfish. Species-specific correlations of prey fish biomass with lionfish density revealed a significant positive correlation between lionfish density and juvenile Paranthias furcifer biomass, however correlations of lionfish density with other prey fish species were not significant. These data indicate that lionfish densities may be driven by distribution and availability of preferred prey types, as gut content analyses show that P. furcifer is a preferred prey source for lionfish in Bermuda. Targeted consumption of mesopredators, such as P. furcifer, may alter trophic structure affecting the biodiversity of reef communities, however, these data represent baseline assessments of mesophotic fish assemblages, and thus continued monitoring is needed to accurately assess the impacts of these invasive predators.

Authors: Goodbody-Gringley G, Chequer A, Eddy C, Pitt J, Smith S

Presentation: Oral

Session: 29

Date: 06/22/16

Time: 17:00

Location: 308 A/B

Back