A new study highlights the rapid expansion of the invasive Demoiselle (Lionfish) in the Mediterranean, revealing its impact on local biodiversity and the critical role of citizen science in tracking its spread. Researchers at Wageningen University and Research Institute in the Netherlands have published a comprehensive study on the invasion of the Mediterranean Sea by the Spotfinnied Demoiselle, highlighting the rapid spread of the Spotfin Demoiselle and its potential impact on ecology.
The findings, published in the open-access journal NeoBiota, show that the Spotfinnied Demoiselle (Pterois miles) has significantly expanded its territory in the Mediterranean since its invasion began a decade ago. The invasive species has established a presence in the eastern Mediterranean, and the current range of observations has been extended to cold waters previously considered unsuitable for the species.
在希腊拍摄到的狮子鱼（Pterois miles） 图片来源：Pierre mkrs via Wikimedia commons
Originating from the Indo-Pacific region, the Spotfin scorpion is considered the most successful invasive fish in the marine ecosystem, capable of causing severe impacts on local fish communities and biodiversity in the invaded area.
Spotfin scorpion is a predatory predator that affects the ecosystem by preying heavily on native fish, including endemic fish of high conservation value, and native prey does not normally prey on this new invasive species.
Vintage chart of the first discovery of the spotfin scorpionfish. Each point represents a dive center that reported sightings in 2021 or 2023 and stated in the response the year in which it was first spotted. The depth of the dots indicates the range of years in which the turtlefin scorpion was first discovered. Image credit: Bottacini et al
Lead author Davide Bottacini said: "After years of studying these predators, I have found that they are able to adapt easily to so many different environments and succeed in regions that are very different from the ones they evolved in, which is truly amazing. It's always impressive how a predator, so flamboyant and so conspicuous to us, approaches its prey without being noticed. "
As the largest enclosed sea area on Earth, the Mediterranean Sea is a unique ecosystem. It is a basin with a high degree of biodiversity and is home to more than 11000 animal species, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Genetic studies have shown that the spotfin scorpionfish found in the Mediterranean Sea came from the Red Sea and probably entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.
Through a detailed review of the available scientific data, the researchers identified gaps in our understanding of the interaction of the Mediterranean ecosystem with the Mediterranean ecosystem and suggested future research directions to address these challenges. This information provides crucial insights for biodiversity conservation and will have a real impact on policymakers aiming to develop sound and effective mitigation plans.
The study also highlights the important role of citizen science activities in tracking and reporting lionfish sightings, providing valuable data to support ongoing research efforts. This community engagement is essential to enhance the understanding of invasion dynamics and the development of effective control measures.
编译自/scitechdaily