[Coral-List] Lionfish in Belize

[Thomas Murphy]

Hello Coral-Listers!
 
I was hoping someone might be able to help me with a problem. I have been looking for images of larval and pre-settlement specamine of the invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans). Although there is a great deal of literature about this particular species, I have so far been unable to aquire images, whether they be live or preserved. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thomas MurphyUniversity of MiamiRosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Marine Biology and Fisheries4600 Rickenbacker Cswy.Miami, FL 33149
Phone - 631.241.1599
  > Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:49:07 -0800> From: albinsm at science.oregonstate.edu> To: katherine.cure at gmail.com> CC: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Subject: [Coral-List] Lionfish in Belize> > Hi Katherine,> > Our lab has been conducting a broad range of lionfish research over > the last two years, focusing primarily on their interactions with > native Bahamian reef fish. I've attached a pdf of our recent MEPS > publication, in which we document that single lionfish transplanted > onto small patch reefs reduce recruitment of native fishes by nearly > 80%! Unfortunately, lionfish are currently spreading rapidly westward > and southward, and it is likely only a matter of time before this > ravenous, invasive predator is literally all over the Caribbean. This > does not bode well for native reef communities.> > I'd be more than happy to take a look at your photos and help to > confirm the species ID.> > I also strongly suggest that you report your lionfish sighting to the > USGS aquatic invasive species database.> > Report sightings here: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/SightingReport.asp> > They seem to have the most comprehensive online compilation of > lionfish sightings, as well as a recently updated fact sheet:> > http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=963> > You can see from their maps (see links in fact sheet) that your > sighting, if confirmed, will be the first from Central America.> > Please let me know if you have any questions about our research, or > about lionfish in general. I'd be happy to try to answer them, or > refer you to someone who can.> > Aloha,> > Mark> > **************************************************> Mark A. Albins> Department of Zoology> Oregon State University> 3029 Cordley Hall> Corvallis, OR 97331-2914> phone: (541) 740-7747> fax: (541) 737-0501> **************************************************> > In response to:> > Message: 2> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:47:50 -0600> From: "Katherine Cure" <katherine.cure at gmail.com>> Subject: [Coral-List] Lionfish in Belize> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> Message-ID:> <28e7be5b0812181847v5e217377oa8e22a980675b7b8 at mail.gmail.com>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1> > Hello to all,> I just got the first report for lionfishes at Turneffe Atoll, Belize.> I haven't personally seen them, but got the report from dive master at The> Agressor, a local liveaboard.> Pictures, gotten by a local diver on the eastern side of Turneffe are> available for species ID.> Can those colleagues involved in dealing with this invasive species contact> me with further information?> Cheers,> > -- > Katherine Cure, M.Sc.> Field Coordinator/Coral Reef Researcher> Oceanic Society> Blackbird Caye, Belize> T: (501) 220-4256> > 
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