Disciplines
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Marine Biology | Research Methods in Life Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
The lionfish, scientifically known as Pterois, belongs to the Scorpaenidae family, which is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, but has become an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea. First observed in Belize in 2008, lionfish have since become established in the Belize Barrier Reefs. Known for their ability to consume a wide range of species, lionfish compete with native fish for food resources. This invasive species poses a significant threat to the ecosystem due to their venomous spines, aggressive predatory behavior, lack of predators, and high reproductive rate, with lifespans extending up to 30 years. Our study aimed to investigate the feeding habits of both male and female lionfish in relation to their egg production. With the joint effort of personnel from the Tobacco Caye Marine Station and local fishermen, we were able to collect lionfish data to determine their sexual maturity based on size, stomach contents, and the presence or absence of egg sacs. We then analyzed the data to identify patterns in size and feeding behavior between males and females, especially to determine if diet influenced overall size. We hypothesized that reproductive-age female lionfish would consume more or larger prey than males of the same age to acquire the energy needed for frequent egg production. However, after analyzing the data, our results did not support this hypothesis. It may instead be that female lionfish have developed strategies to conserve energy rather than relying on increased food intake to power egg production.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Troy Mutchler
Included in
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons
Consumption Habitats of Male and Female Lionfish Regarding the Production of Eggs
The lionfish, scientifically known as Pterois, belongs to the Scorpaenidae family, which is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, but has become an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea. First observed in Belize in 2008, lionfish have since become established in the Belize Barrier Reefs. Known for their ability to consume a wide range of species, lionfish compete with native fish for food resources. This invasive species poses a significant threat to the ecosystem due to their venomous spines, aggressive predatory behavior, lack of predators, and high reproductive rate, with lifespans extending up to 30 years. Our study aimed to investigate the feeding habits of both male and female lionfish in relation to their egg production. With the joint effort of personnel from the Tobacco Caye Marine Station and local fishermen, we were able to collect lionfish data to determine their sexual maturity based on size, stomach contents, and the presence or absence of egg sacs. We then analyzed the data to identify patterns in size and feeding behavior between males and females, especially to determine if diet influenced overall size. We hypothesized that reproductive-age female lionfish would consume more or larger prey than males of the same age to acquire the energy needed for frequent egg production. However, after analyzing the data, our results did not support this hypothesis. It may instead be that female lionfish have developed strategies to conserve energy rather than relying on increased food intake to power egg production.