Feeding ecology of invasive lionfish in the Punta Frances MPA, Cuba: insight into morphological features, diet and management

PeerJ

article

Laura del Río¹  Zenaida María Navarro-Martínez¹  Alexei Ruiz-Abierno¹  Pedro Pablo Chevalier-Monteagudo²  Jorge A. Angulo-Valdes³  Leandro Rodriguez-Viera¹ 

[1] Center for Marine Research, University of Havana;National Aquarium of Cuba;Eckerd College

关键词: Coral reefs;    Invasive species;    Lionfish prey;    Lionfish management;    Coral reefs conservation;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.14250

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Cuba’s shelf has been invaded by lionfish (Pterois volitans/Pterois miles), which have become established over the archipelago, including areas of natural importance. The present study aims to evaluate morphometric features of lionfish and to explore the relationship between lionfish size and diet composition in different habitats in the Punta Frances National Park, Cuba. In total 620 lionfish were captured at 29 sites between 2013 and 2016. Lionfish stomachs were removed and their contents were analyzed using frequency and numerical methods. The length-weight allomentric relationship was obtained, and a decrease in lionfish sizes was shown over time, likely due to the extractions carried out. The diet was composed by fishes, crustaceans, mollusks and phytobenthos, with a predominance of fishes. Lionfish caught in seagrass beds tended to be smaller in size and consumed fewer fishes and more crustaceans than those captured in coral reefs. A positive correlation was observed between lionfish body size and gape size; however, no significant correlation was detected between lionfish body size and prey size. Larger lionfish tended to consume more fishes, while crustaceans were more significant in the diet of juvenile lionfish. This is the first study that examines the feeding habits of lionfish in the Punta Frances MPA, and provides valuable information on lionfish inhabiting this MPA across four years of sampling. Furthermore, this research may serve as a baseline for subsequent evaluations of lionfish impact and management actions in the area.

【 授权许可】

CC BY