1. Targeted census of lionfishes (Scorpaenidae) reveals high densities in their native range
- Author
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Zara‐Louise Cowan, Rohan M. Brooker, Julien Gasc, Camille Gache, David Lecchini, William E. Feeney, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Cambridge [UK] (CAM), Griffith University [Brisbane], Institute for Pacific Coral Reefs (IRCP), Centre de recherches insulaires et observatoire de l'environnement (CRIOBE), Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL (LabEX CORAIL), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Université des Antilles et de la Guyane (UAG)-École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Université de La Réunion (UR)-Université de la Polynésie Française (UPF)-Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie (UNC)-Institut d'écologie et environnement-Université des Antilles (UA), Norwegian University of Science and Technology [Trondheim] (NTNU), and Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
- Subjects
[SDV.BA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Animal biology ,Aquatic Science ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Indo-Pacific lionfishes generally exhibit cryptic behaviours and so can be missed when conducting non-targeted surveys. Here, the authors report the results from targeted surveys of lionfish at Moorea, French Polynesia. Lionfish from three species (Pterois antennata, Pterois radiata, Dendrochirus biocellatus) were observed at a mean density of 267 individuals ha−1. This is substantially higher than previous estimates from the same area (Moorea) and represents the highest reported density of lionfishes from their Pacific range. Overall, this study highlights the importance of targeted survey techniques for detecting cryptic species on coral reefs.
- Published
- 2022