[Coral-List] Exotic vs. Invasive.

[Laura Valderrama]

Hi all:

>From my point of view and understanding, the difference between "exotic"and
"invasive" depends on the way the specie is establish in the new habitat.
Thus I daresay all invasive species are exotic but not all exotic are
invasive. For instance the lionfish is considered an invasive specie due to
its rapid dispersion, ample diet, is an aggresive predator and consequently
the impacts on the dynamics of invaded ecosystems, specially coral reefs
are strong, negative and affects its functionality.

That's what I think define the difference, more than if its beuty or
horrible, that very subjective. In fact multiple people likes lionfish and
that is also why the fish is traded for aquariums, while other people
considered it horrible and scaring!

Greetings,

-- 
Laura Valderrama Ballesteros
Ecóloga, MSc Ecología Marina
celular: 3176985042

2013/2/15 John Ware <jware at erols.com>

> Dear List,
>
> Ken Marks recent post concerning Tubastraea micranthus reminded me of an
> incident that occurred on a recent trip to Bonaire.  A divemaster was
> bemoaning the "invasion" of lionfish.  When I mentioned that the "poster
> coral" for Bonaire (Tubastraea sp) was invasive, I was severely
> chastised.  Lionfish were "invasive", Tubastraea was "exotic".
>
> I noted that Ken Marks used both "exotic" and "invasion" in his e-mail.
>  I had never thought about the distinction before.
>
> After Googling around a bit, I concluded that if the species under
> consideration was sort of cute, it was "exotic".  If it was ugly, it was
> "invasive".
>
> While that is a vast oversimplification, I wonder if the coral-reef
> community distinguishes "exotic" from "invasive" and, if so, is there a
> precise definition of the difference?
>
> John
>
> --
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