Little spatial and temporal segregation between coexisting lionfishes (Pterois miles and Pterois radiata) in the Red Sea

What is it about?

The common lionfish, Pterois miles, originally from the Indo-Pacific Ocean has managed to spread rapidly through the western Atlantic Ocean and recently invaded the Mediterranean Sea. However, only one out of several species of lionfish common in the Red Sea mange to invade the Mediterranean Sea. Exploring coexistence mechanisms in the Red Sea, the species native range, may allow to understand the probability that other lionfish species will be able to invade. In this study we focus on the mechanisms of coexistence for two species of competing lionfish: Pterois miles and Pterois radiata - a common species in the Red Sea that has yet to become established outside its native range. We used visual surveys across day and night to assess activity patterns and the tendency of the species to co-occur. We found that while Pterois miles is a flexible crepuscular, Pterois radiata is strictly nocturnal. However, we detected only slight spatio-temporal segregation between the species. Hence, coexistence of these two species may not be related to habitat or temporal partitioning but could be related to the more generalist behavior of Pterois miles which may also explain its invasion success.

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