Abstract

Indo-Pacific lionfishes Pterois volitans and P. miles were first reported from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) in 2010 and at mesophotic depths in 2012 (28 Fathom Reef). Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are found at intermedi-ate depths of the photic zone between 30-100 m and can often extend to depths over 150 meters. The South Texas Banks in the northwestern GOM are a MCE comprised of over 20 major paleo-coral reef structures occurring between the 60 and 80 m depth contours that have been utilized by fisherman since 1890 for their abundance of Lutjanid and Serranid species. In this study, mesophotic fish communities were surveyed using ROV video at ten South Texas Banks during two expeditions (2012 and 2014). In 2012, a single lionfish was observed at the northernmost of six banks surveyed (Baker Bank). In 2014, a total of twenty lionfish were recorded from three of the northernmost of five banks surveyed (Hospital, North Hospital, and Southern banks). The numbers of lionfish recorded in 2014 ranged from 1 individual at Hospital Bank to 13 individuals at Southern Bank. Thus, the initial lionfish invasion of the paleo-coral reefs off the South Texas coast was likely captured by these two sampling events. Habitat suitability modeling was used to predict the eventual invasion of lionfish to the southernmost group of banks. The use of presence-only models in addition to continual monitoring of these banks will pro-vide insight into the future impacts of lionfish on the mesophotic fish communities in the GOM.

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