Lionfish Ecological Distribution
I. Ecological Distribution
P. volitans is a tropical marine species, usually found along the forereef in its native Indo-Pacific region. They spend their days hiding in rocky outcrops or caves, and emerge at night for feeding (Fishelson 1975, 637). In their native region, they are near-shore fish but in their invasive region og the western Atlantic and Caribbean they are found further off shore (Kimball et al. 2004, 270). Kimball et al. determined in a laboratory that the chronic lethal minimum temperature for lionfish is about 10° C, and the fish stop eating at around 15° C (273). Although these limits are likely to vary in the wild, they are useful initial estimates. Based on these estimates, Morris (2009) predicts that P. volitans could eventually reach the coast of Brazil (13). In their native range, the water temperature can drop from 26-27° C in the summer to 19-20° C in the winter (Fishelson 1997, 401), suggesting that lionfish need some method of dealing with the changing temperatures. Fishelson (1997) …show more content…
volitans that may contribute to its success, both in its native and invasive ranges, is the venomous spines in its fins. There are venom glands along 13 dorsal spines, three anal spines, and two pelvic spines that extend about three quarters of the way up from the base to the tip (Morris 2009, 119). Lionfish venom possesses a toxin containing acetylcholine, which impacts neuromuscular transmission, and can cause neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects in both humans and animals (Morris 2009, 119). This venom may help protect lionfish from predators, and may cause potential predators to avoid the species. There is even evidence that the Indo-Malayan octopus has been observed mimicking the lionfish, potentially as a way to protect against predation (Morris 2009, 128). There is also research that suggests that this venom may be useful for biomedical applications, such as reduction of cancer growth in humans (Morris 2009,
P. volitans is a tropical marine species, usually found along the forereef in its native Indo-Pacific region. They spend their days hiding in rocky outcrops or caves, and emerge at night for feeding (Fishelson 1975, 637). In their native region, they are near-shore fish but in their invasive region og the western Atlantic and Caribbean they are found further off shore (Kimball et al. 2004, 270). Kimball et al. determined in a laboratory that the chronic lethal minimum temperature for lionfish is about 10° C, and the fish stop eating at around 15° C (273). Although these limits are likely to vary in the wild, they are useful initial estimates. Based on these estimates, Morris (2009) predicts that P. volitans could eventually reach the coast of Brazil (13). In their native range, the water temperature can drop from 26-27° C in the summer to 19-20° C in the winter (Fishelson 1997, 401), suggesting that lionfish need some method of dealing with the changing temperatures. Fishelson (1997) …show more content…
volitans that may contribute to its success, both in its native and invasive ranges, is the venomous spines in its fins. There are venom glands along 13 dorsal spines, three anal spines, and two pelvic spines that extend about three quarters of the way up from the base to the tip (Morris 2009, 119). Lionfish venom possesses a toxin containing acetylcholine, which impacts neuromuscular transmission, and can cause neuromuscular and cardiovascular effects in both humans and animals (Morris 2009, 119). This venom may help protect lionfish from predators, and may cause potential predators to avoid the species. There is even evidence that the Indo-Malayan octopus has been observed mimicking the lionfish, potentially as a way to protect against predation (Morris 2009, 128). There is also research that suggests that this venom may be useful for biomedical applications, such as reduction of cancer growth in humans (Morris 2009,