Biological Invasion of Lionfish in the Atlantic

In recent years, close examination of biological invasions shows that ecosystems around the world are subjected to loss of biodiversity as a result of the interactions between native species and the invaders (Whitfield et al. 2007). These interactions may happen naturally due to biotic dispersal, but human travel and deliberate translocation of organisms worldwide have undoubtedly accelerated this process (Morris and Whitfield 2009; Whitfield et al. 2007). Establishment of an invasive species often takes time and does not always succeed. (Whitfield et al. 2002). When invasive species do establish themselves and spread, their effects on the environment may cause large-scale changes in niche structure, on predator-prey relationships, and on physical features of the environment itself (Morris and Whitfield 2009). Recently, red lionfish (Pterois volitans) have been discovered in the western Atlantic along the eastern United States coast (Whitfield et al. 2007). Lacking competition and predators, invasive lionfish can quickly disperse through the eastern North American coast and invade other marine ecosystems (Whitfield et al. 2002). Atlantic ecosystems provide these invaders with favorable habitats that help facilitate their expansion. Continued spread of invasive lionfish will likely diminish biodiversity throughout ecosystems and will present a danger to both the overall structure of marine habitats and the interests of industry and public health (Arias-González et al. 2011; Côté and Maljkovic 2010; Morris and Whitfield 2009). Lionfish were first documented to be residing in the Atlantic Ocean along North Carolina's coast in the year 2000 (Meister et al. 2005). Lionfish are native to the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean and eastern Indian Ocean (Meister et al. 2005). Prized as aquarium fish, they have often been brought to the United States in large numbers (Hamner et al. 2007). Multiple theories exist regarding their introduction (Whitfield et al. 2002), but accidental release from aquaria via Hurricane Andrew remains the most likely scenario (Meister et al. 2005; Hamner et al. 2007). In 1992, six lionfish were reported to have escaped from an aquarium after the hurricane struck (Meister et al. 2005). This suggests that these few individuals have reproduced successfully and created the invasive population. Nearly identical genetic makeups were found among most invasive lionfish members, supporting the theory of a founder effect within the invasive lionfish population (Hamner et al. 2007). Also, the free-floating nature of their eggs contributes to the spread of invasive lionfish (Freshwater et al. 2009). Lionfish eggs drift through currents …