Invasion genomics of lionfish in the Mediterranean Sea.

The rate of biological invasions is steadily increasing, with major ecological and economic impacts accounting for billions of dollars in damage as a result. One spectacular example is the western Atlantic invasion by lionfishes. In the Mediterranean Sea, invasions from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal (termed Lessepsian invasions) comprise more than 100 fish species, including a recent invasion by lionfish. In light of the devastating effects of lionfish in the Caribbean Sea, understanding the dynamics of Mediterranean lionfish invasion is crucial. The Lessepsian lionfish invasion started in 2012, and rapidly spread to the central Mediterranean. Here, we used thousands of RAD seq genomic markers to study the population dynamics of this invasion. While we did not find a reduction in genetic diversity between source (Red Sea) and invasive (Mediterranean) populations (i.e., bottleneck effects), we found evidence of population structure within the invasive range in the Mediterranean Sea. We found that loci that are potentially under selection may play an important role in invasion success (in particular, genes involved in osmoregulation and fin spine sizes). Genomic approaches proved powerful in examining the ecological and evolutionary patterns of successful invaders and may be used as tools to understand and potentially mitigate future invasions.

No evidence that lionfish Pterois miles coordinate and reciprocate during hunts.

Decision rules underlying cooperative hunting can range from very simple to very complex. As lionfishes are naturally solitary hunters, an experimental study documenting active recruitment, coordination and alternating (potentially reciprocal) striking in dwarf lionfish Dendrochirus zebra received major attention. A hypothesis was that sophisticated coordinated hunting may also contribute to the successful invasion of another lionfish species, Pterois miles, in the Caribbean. However, we did not find recruitment signalling in P. miles in parts of its native range, the Red Sea. Here, we expand on these results, testing for coordinated movements and for alternation in strikes. We exposed subject pairs to inaccessible prey in three transparent housings. The two lionfish did not aggregate at the same prey housing or even share larger space units in the presence of prey. In a second experiment, we found that some alternation can be induced if prey items become alternately accessible at two corners, with each lionfish tending to monopolize one corner each. When the movement of prey is slow or even absent, we observed less alternation than expected by chance. In conclusion, P. miles in the Red Sea does not use any coordination to hunt prey.

Where are they now? Tracking the Mediterranean lionfish invasion via local dive centers.

Invasive species are globally on the rise due to human-induced environmental change and are often a source of harm to their new ecosystems. Tracking the spread of invaders is crucial to better manage invasive species, and citizen science is often used to collect sighting data. However, this can be unreliable due to the general public's limited expertise for accurate identification and a lack of clear absence data. Here, we introduce a refined method of citizen science by tracking the spread of the invasive lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Mediterranean Sea using dive centers' expertise on local marine wildlife. We contacted 1131 dive centers on the Mediterranean coast via email and received 216 responses reporting whether or not lionfish were present in their area and, if present, the year they were first sighted. Currently, lionfish sightings are observed in the eastern half of the Mediterranean, though the front is continuing to move west with the furthest sighting as far as Corfu, Greece (19.939423°E, 39.428017°N). In 2020, lionfish also expanded their invasive range north on the Turkish Aegean coast to Karaburun (26.520657°E, 38.637033°N), showing that the invasion is ongoing. We found that the invasive range is now exceeding previous invasion models, highlighting the need for additional research on lionfish biology to inform management efforts. Continuous monitoring of invasive fronts based on dive center reports and a better understanding of what makes lionfish so invasive is crucial to creating effective management strategies and mitigating their negative impact on native ecosystems.

Report of 15 injuries caused by lionfish (pterois volitans) in aquarists in Brazil: a critical assessment of the severity of envenomations.

Lionfish are venomous fish that belong to the Scorpaenidae family. Individuals of this family and those of the Synanceiidae family comprise most of the existing venomous fish in the world. Lionfish are originally found in the Indo-Pacific, but they have received special attention in the last years for their dissemination in the Atlantic Ocean, with the emergence of large populations in the USA, Caribbean and South America. Because of its beauty, this fish has always been present in private and commercial aquariums around the world. Herein, we describe 15 envenomations in aquarists registered in a period of eighteen years (1997-2014). The stings caused excruciating pain and marked inflammation, with local erythema, edema, heat, paleness and cyanosis. In one case, it was possible to observe vesicles and blisters. There were no skin necroses or marked systemic manifestations. We discuss the possible coming of the fish to South America and the circumstances and clinical impact of the envenomations.

Report of 15 injuries caused by lionfish (pterois volitans) in aquarists in Brazil: a critical assessment of the severity of envenomations

Lionfish are venomous fish that belong to the Scorpaenidae family. Individuals of this family and those of the Synanceiidae family comprise most of the existing venomous fish in the world. Lionfish are originally found in the Indo-Pacific, but they have received special attention in the last years for their dissemination in the Atlantic Ocean, with the emergence of large populations in the USA, Caribbean and South America. Because of its beauty, this fish has always been present in private and commercial aquariums around the world. Herein, we describe 15 envenomations in aquarists registered in a period of eighteen years (19972014). The stings caused excruciating pain and marked inflammation, with local erythema, edema, heat, paleness and cyanosis. In one case, it was possible to observe vesicles and blisters. There were no skin necroses or marked systemic manifestations. We discuss the possible coming of the fish to South America and the circumstances and clinical impact of the envenomations.

Report of 15 injuries caused by lionfish (pterois volitans) in aquarists in Brazil: a critical assessment of the severity of envenomations

Lionfish are venomous fish that belong to the Scorpaenidae family. Individuals of this family and those of the Synanceiidae family comprise most of the existing venomous fish in the world. Lionfish are originally found in the Indo-Pacific, but they have received special attention in the last years for their dissemination in the Atlantic Ocean, with the emergence of large populations in the USA, Caribbean and South America. Because of its beauty, this fish has always been present in private and commercial aquariums around the world. Herein, we describe 15 envenomations in aquarists registered in a period of eighteen years (1997-2014). The stings caused excruciating pain and marked inflammation, with local erythema, edema, heat, paleness and cyanosis. In one case, it was possible to observe vesicles and blisters. There were no skin necroses or marked systemic manifestations. We discuss the possible coming of the fish to South America and the circumstances and clinical impact of the envenomations.(AU)

Efectos tóxicos y manejo de las lesiones provocadas por el pez león (Pteroisvolitans, P. miles) / Toxic effects and management and injuries caused by the lion fish(Pteroisvolitan, P. miles)

El Pez León (Pterois volitans y Pteroismiles), especie registrada como invasora en el Atlántico occidental; se ha constituido en un poderoso depredador gracias a que no tiene un antagonista natural en la segunda barrera coralina más grande del mundo, poniendo en riesgo a las especies marinas endémicas de la zona, así com o a nadadores, buzos recreativos, comerciales y pescadores que entran en contacto con el pez. El pinchazo del pez león es venenoso, tiene aproximadamente 17 espinas dorsales,pélvicas y anal, cada uno contiene un tubo que se conecta al extremo de una glándula venenosa que segrega 3 a 10mg de veneno por espina. El mecanismo de intoxicación se produce cuando la persona pisa o toca al pez, ejerciendo presión sobre las espinas y al penetrar la piel las glándulas venenosas liberan el veneno. La toxina inoculada puede causar dolor intenso, fiebre, parálisis respiratoria humana e insuficiencia circulatoria. La toxicidad del veneno es debida a antigénicos de proteínas de alto peso molecular. El tratamiento se basa en la termolabilidad de dichas proteínas, bloquear la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica y las posibles complicaciones. Con esta revisión bibliográfica se pretende ampliar sobre los efectos tóxicos y el manejo de las lesiones provocadas por el pez león, a fin de informar a la comunidad médica hondureña de los problemas de salud causada...