Abstract

The Caribbean spiny lobster fishery is the most valuable in the Caribbean. There are concerns that invasive lionfish could affect the profitability of the industry through displacement of lobster from traps (condominiums), but the ecological interactions between the two species are poorly understood. Previous research has demonstrated an inverse relationship between lionfish abundance and number of lobster in condos; however, assessing which species governed this displacement is poorly understood. We experimentally examined behaviors of lionfish and lobster competing for an artificial shelter. In trials, lobsters were introduced to the arena 48 hours before the introduction of either a lionfish or a trophically equivalent native fish, the graysby grouper Ceph-alopholis cruentata. Reciprocal experiments (i.e., fish before lobster) and single-species control trials were also conducted. Lobsters spent significantly less time inside of the shelters, and more time roaming when a lionfish was present, indicating the lobsters were displaced from the shelter. However, shifts in lobster behavior were observed in the presence of the native mesopredator, the graysby. The potential increase of mesopredators coupled with the rapid lionfish invasion both could be negatively affecting the habitat use of lobster, resulting in negative ecological and socioeconomic impacts particularly for countries with large lobster fisheries such as The Bahamas.

PDF Preview