{"id":38132,"date":"2024-04-25T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1a041a5b-77f6-4819-84ae-4a6aa0d135f5"},"modified":"2024-04-25T16:35:43","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T14:35:43","slug":"poisonous-lionfish-are-invading-the-mediterranean-sea-the-rise-of-these-deadly-predators-has-scientists-worried","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/poisonous-lionfish-are-invading-the-mediterranean-sea-the-rise-of-these-deadly-predators-has-scientists-worried\/","title":{"rendered":"Poisonous lionfish are invading the Mediterranean Sea. The rise of these deadly predators has scientists worried"},"content":{"rendered":"

The species\u2019 rapid spread across the Mediterranean, including to habitats previously thought to be unsuitable, could have significant ecological impacts.\u00a0 <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 25 April 2024 at 13:15 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Lionfish have spread rapidly across the Mediterranean Sea since they first invaded the region around 10 years ago, scientists say. <\/p>

In a new study, researchers from\u00a0Wageningen University and Research<\/a>, the Netherlands, found the lionfish\u00a0(Pterois miles)<\/em>\u00a0has even spread to waters that were previously thought to be too cold for the species.\u00a0<\/p>

\u201cAfter years studying these predators, I find it amazing how they can easily adjust to so many different environments and be successful in areas that are so different from the ones where they evolved,\u201d says lead author Davide Bottacini in a statement.<\/p>

The lionfish, which originate from the Red Sea, probably entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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Lionfish\u00a0(Pterois miles<\/em>\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0Pterois volitans<\/em><\/a>)\u00a0<\/em>are native to the Indo-Pacific but they\u2019ve spread quickly to other places, including to the Mediterranean,\u00a0Atlantic<\/a>, Caribbean and the Gulf of\u00a0Mexico. The study,\u00a0 published<\/a>\u00a0in the open-access journal\u00a0 NeoBiota<\/em><\/a>, also highlights the potential ecological impacts of this swift invasion to the Med.\u00a0<\/p>
\u201cLionfish have no known predators and reproduce all year long; a mature female releases roughly two million eggs a year,\u201d according to the\u00a0NOAA<\/a>\u00a0website, making them particularly successful at invading new ecosystems. <\/p>
These fish are generalist predators \u2013 meaning they eat pretty much anything \u2013 and can wipe out local fish stocks, including important species, that might not flee as they haven\u2019t encountered these hunters before.\u00a0<\/p>
Lionfish have venomous spines along their fins. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Lionfish are rather ostentatious fish \u2013 and also one of the deadliest sea creatures in the ocean<\/a>. They have dramatic stripes and a fan-like cascade of fins that scream \u201cwatch out\u201d. Along its fins are venomous spines that can deliver a nasty sting, which \u201ccan last for days and cause extreme pain, sweating, respiratory distress, and even paralysis,\u201d says NOAA.\u00a0<\/p>
These spines are purely for self-defence. When hunting, lionfish swim slowly along and ambush their prey. \u201cIt is always impressive to see how such a flamboyant (and to us conspicuous) predator can approach its prey without being noticed,\u201d says Bottacini.\u00a0<\/p>
NOAA\u2019s website adds that \u201cscientists fear that lionfish will also kill off helpful species such as algae-eating parrotfish, allowing seaweed to overtake the reefs,\u201d and notes that they also put pressure on native species by competing with them for food and territory.\u00a0<\/p>
Lionfish are slow-moving ambush predators. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Their spread is becoming increasingly problematic in the Mediterranean: a unique and highly biodiverse ecosystem home to more than 11,000 animal species, according to the study authors. These lionfish originate from the Red Sea and probably entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>
In the fight against lionfish, the study highlights the importance of citizen science. When members of the public report their lionfish sightings, it gives valuable information to researchers who are studying the best way to protect ecosystems and control the invasion of non-native species.\u00a0<\/p>
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