Density, size, biomass, and diet of lionfish in Guanahacabibes National Park, western Cuba

The Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species that was first recorded in the Guanahacabibes National Park (GNP), a marine protected area in western Cuba, in 2009. In order to determine the invasion progression of this species, we studied lionfish abundance, size, and diet at 6 si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Aquatic biology Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 219 - 226
Main Authors:	Rojas, DC, Chevalier Monteagudo, P, Schmitter-Soto, JJ, Corrada Wong, RI, Salvat Torres, H, Cabrera Sansón, E, García Rodríguez, A, Fernández Osorio, A, Espinosa Pantoja, L, Cabrera Guerra, D, Pantoja Echevaria, LM, Caballero Aragón, H, Perera Valderrama, S
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Inter-Research 19-04-2016
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	The Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species that was first recorded in the Guanahacabibes National Park (GNP), a marine protected area in western Cuba, in 2009. In order to determine the invasion progression of this species, we studied lionfish abundance, size, and diet at 6 sites in the GNP between 2010 and 2014. The species’ density, biomass, and length increased over this period, probably due to the abundance of food and shelter in the GNP. Analysis of stomach contents indicated that lionfish fed primarily on fish and crustaceans; main prey were teleosts, predominantly Gobiidae, Pomacentridae, Mullidae, Labridae, Scaridae, and Grammatidae. This example of a rapid increase in an unmanaged population at the onset of invasion provides information that can be used to design a management program targeting lionfish.
ISSN:	1864-7782 1864-7790
DOI:	10.3354/ab00651