The popular belief was that the Red Lionfish was introduced to the Western World via an incident in Florida. New genetic research is indicating that that fact is false. The research suggests that there were multiple introduction sites throughout the Caribbean basin.
The red lionfish is a non-native invasive predatory species in the Western hemisphere originally from the Indo-Pacific region. Since they have no native predators in the Atlantic/Caribbean/South Atlantic they are quickly destroying habitats and wreaking havoc across already unstable marine environments, especially coral reefs.
This data is helping researchers track the Red Lionfish populations as well as if there are more/new introduction sites. The USGS recently conducted a survey taking animals from 14 countries within the Greater Caribbean Basin and Western Atlantic. The genetic differences between fish from difference sites are great enough to suggest they were dispersed from multiple introduction sites. This genetic data is helping scientists understand how the lionfish are spreading and what would be the most effective method of removal.
I think that this article was important because our coral reefs are already struggling with climate change as well as pollution as it is. The reefs do not need another factor to make them even more barren. It is important to monitor and control these populations as the lionfishes' ranges are beginning to expand past the warm tropical waters into more of the Northern Atlantic.
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150423154631.htm
I agree that scientist need to find the reason for the introduction of Red Lionfish into areas they seem not to be native too. Our coral reefs struggle enough and we should not have to worry about a fish doing more damage.
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