Abstract

Widespread success of lionfish throughout the Western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico resulted in their persistence as an invasive species. Not only has the range of the lionfish expanded, but estimates predict the population density of lionfish in the invaded range to be approximately five times greater than that observed in their native range (Darling et al. 2011, Green and Côté 2009). In other instances of successful invasion, the invader is released from pathogen pressure but retains a close relationship with beneficial symbionts (Vermeij et al. 2005, Crowl et al. 2008). When an invasion occurs through the ornamental or pet trade, as is assumed to be the case with lionfish, these interactions with microbial symbionts are likely even stronger as only the healthiest, strongest individuals are selected (Padilla and Williams 2004). Therefore, we were interested in characterizing the diversity of bacterial communities associated with the skin surfaces of lionfish throughout their native and invaded ranges and assessing the potential roles of these bacteria in facilitat-ing invasion.

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