The first data on the presence of lionfish (Pterois miles) in the Mediterranean date back to an isolated sighting in the Bay of Haifa (Israel) in 1991. Ten years later, several specimens were located on the coast of Lebanon and then in Cyprus. (2013) and in Turkey (2016). Experts confirmed that the species could have reached the Mediterranean from the Red Sea, perhaps with the help of maritime traffic through the Suez Canal.
What seemed like an anecdote has now become a new and worrying example of an invasive species that can endanger native species and also, in this case, poses a risk to people since lionfish are poisonous and their sharp spines. They can cause painful wounds.
The monitoring of the lionfish invasion in the Mediterranean has involved the participation of experts from several countries, with special dedication to affected countries such as Cyprus. Now, an international team led by researchers from Wageningen University (The Netherlands) has published a comprehensive review on the invasion of lionfish in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting its “rapid spread and possible ecological impacts.”
The results of this work have been published (April 25) in the journal NeoBiota, in a scientific article that shows that the lionfish species Pterois miles “has significantly expanded its territory in the Mediterranean since the invasion began about ten years ago “. The invasive species has established a presence in the eastern Mediterranean, and observations are now extending to colder waters previously thought to be unsuitable for the species, the authors note.
The authors of the new study recall that “originally from the Indo-Pacific region, the lionfish species Pterois miles and Pterois volitans (red lionfish) are considered the most successful invasive fish in marine ecosystems, with the ability to affect drastically impact local fish communities and biodiversity in invaded areas.
Lionfish are generalist predators and impact ecosystems by extensively preying on local fish, including endemic fish of high conservation value, for example in the Mediterranean. Because they are not accustomed to lionfish, native prey species do not usually flee from this new predator, the authors of the new study recall.
“After years of studying these predators, I find it surprising how they can easily adapt to so many different environments and be successful in areas so different from those in which they evolve,” explains the study’s lead author, Davide Bottacini.
“It is always impressive to see how such an extravagant and, for us, striking predator can approach its prey without anyone noticing,” details this expert and doctoral student assigned to the Ecology group at Wageningen University.
The Mediterranean is a unique and delicate ecosystem in many aspects. It is a basin with great biodiversity that is home to more than 11,000 animal species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Genetic studies revealed that the lionfish found in the Mediterranean originated in the Red Sea and probably entered through the Suez Canal, the new study now reiterates.
Through a detailed review of existing scientific data, the researchers identified gaps in our understanding of lionfish interactions with Mediterranean ecosystems and proposed future lines of research to address these challenges. “This information provides vital knowledge for biodiversity conservation and will have practical implications for policymakers seeking to design robust and efficient mitigation plans,” highlights the publishing magazine.
The study also highlights the crucial role of citizen science initiatives in tracking and reporting lionfish sightings, providing valuable data that supports ongoing research efforts. This community involvement is essential to improve understanding of invasion dynamics and design effective control measures.
