Global ETD Search

11	Spatial Analysis of the Invasion of Red Lionfish, Pterois volitans/miles, in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea Johnston, Matthew W. 09 December 2010 (has links) Pterois volitans and Pterois miles, two species of lionfish from the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, have become prolific invaders of reef, hard bottom, mangrove, and sea grass habitats along the United States Atlantic coast and Caribbean. Their route and timing of introduction is poorly understood. However, historical sightings and captures have been robustly documented since their introduction. This study presents an in-depth analysis of these records based on spatial location, dates of arrival, and physical factors present at capture sights. A stage map was created showing the progression of the invasion as a series of current-driven and proximity-based recruitment periods based on the observed invasion pattern. Using a model that was developed for this study, the relationship between depth, salinity, temperature, and current was examined, finding the latter to be the most influential parameter for transport to new areas. Temperature and extreme depth are perceived as the only limiting factors in the invasion. This predictive model can be applied to other species and locations. Pterois volitans Pterois miles lionfish invasive species Atlantic Ocean modeling computational GIS Marine Biology
12	Computer Modeling the Incursion Patterns of Marine Invasive Species Johnston, Matthew W. 26 February 2015 (has links) Abstract Not Available. Lionfish Pterois volitans Pterois miles Invasive Species Species Distribution Models Cellular Automata Caulerpa Taxifolia Software Connectivity Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean Computer Modeling Modeling Computational GIS Mediterranean Sea Cellular Automaton Panther Grouper Chromileptes altivelis South Florida Computer Simulation Hurricanes Reef Connectivity Hawai'i Snapper Grouper Fisheries Habitat Equivalency Analysis Lionfish Control Lionfish Removals International Strategy Marine Biology
13	Feeding Ecology of the Invasive Lionfish (Pterois spp.) and Comparison with Two Native Species: Schoolmaster Lutjanus apodus (Walbaum, 1792) and Graysby Cephalopholis cruentata (Lacepède, 1802) Secord, Jesse J 08 December 2015 (has links) Predator satiation and prey-size preference were determined for locally caught lionfish, schoolmaster, and graysby, all co-occurring predatory fishes in the Florida coral reef ecosystem. Individuals were evaluated by exposing them to wild-caught killifish over a gradient of four size classes (20 mm to 60 mm, in 10 mm increments). Preference trials extended over a 2 hr time period and were filmed to determine the order in which each prey item was consumed. Satiation was evaluated by exposing the predators to an equal number of excess prey items for 24 hrs and evaluating consumed prey weight. Lionfish and schoolmaster showed a significant preference for the smallest size class (20-30 mm) while the graysby preferred the largest (50-60 mm) and smallest equally. Graysby were shown to consume the least amount of food per gram by biomass (0.034g/gram predator-1) while lionfish consumed the most (0.079g/gram predator-1). A significant difference was also found between consumption rates of lionfish and schoolmaster (0.053g/gram predator-1). If consumption is compared by length between species, lionfish ( = 0.051g/mm predator-1) and schoolmaster ( = 0.061g/mm predator-1) consumption was not significantly different. These results suggest that lionfish success may stem from its ability to target prey sizes not preferred by the graysby while able to outcompete schoolmaster for the same prey size class. However, if the lionfish is compared on an individual level to schoolmaster by individual or length, consumption is similar, suggesting lionfish consumption is not significantly greater on the reef than the native species on an individual basis. Pterois volitans Lionfish Lutjanus apodus Schoolmaster Cephalopholis cruentata Graysby Preference Satiation Behavior and Ethology Marine Biology Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
14	Population Ecology of Invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) in the South Atlantic Bight Swenarton, Mary 01 January 2016 (has links) Invasive species are a top threat to global biodiversity. Lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) are a marine invasive predator that are now established in the Western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Studies that have documented impacts of lionfish suggest they can reduce fish recruitment and native species biomass by up to 80%. Research on lionfish impacts, biology and ecology is heavily focused in tropical and subtropical systems, with considerably less research effort occurring in the temperate regions of their invaded range, such as the South Atlantic Bight. Lionfish life history estimates are important to modeling lionfish population growth, modeling future dispersal and evaluating the efficacy of different removal strategies. Since lionfish life history will vary with a suite of environmental, biological and ecological factors, estimates of lionfish life history should be collected in all regions of their invaded range. The purpose of this study was to collect baseline information of lionfish biology and ecology in the southern portion of the South Atlantic Bight, an unstudied region for this species. As such, chapter one uses a quantitative approach to determine lionfish life history estimates important to management. Some important results of chapter one are: lionfish are recruiting at one main time throughout the year, growth changes seasonally and the population is relatively young (< 3 years of age). Chapter two takes the first step in determining lionfish impacts in this region by quantifying their diet. The main conclusion of this chapter is that round scad (Decapterus punctatus), sand perch (Diplectrum formosum) and black sea bass (Centropristis striata) are the most important prey items in the lionfish diet. Black sea bass are an important fishery in the South Atlantic Bight, and lionfish could be negatively affecting recruitment. Together, these chapters provide important insight into lionfish ecology in this region and in general. Thesis University of North Florida UNF invasive species lionfish age and growth diet Biology

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