Friday, July 6, 2012

FSUCML Lecture July 12 - Lionfish Invade Atlantic




LOGO_FSUCML_Fish

Conservation Lecture Series
Lionfish from webEffects of the Invasive Pacific Red Lionfish On Atlantic

Coral-Reef Fish Communities

Pacific red lionfish, introduced to Atlantic waters in the 1980s, have undergone a rapid range expansion and population explosion over the last decade.  This invasive predator is now found across the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and southeastern coast of theUnited States

Lionfish are voracious fast-growing predators of small fishes, represent a novel predator type in the invaded system, and are reaching larger maximum sizes and substantially higher densities than they do in their native Pacific.  While there is much speculation about the negative effects of lionfish on native species, few experimental studies have actually examined them.   

Dr. Albins  changed all that by conducting controlled field experiments on coral-reefs in the Bahamas to examine the effects of lionfish on native fish communities. What he found was that lionfish caused substantial reductions in the abundance and species richness of small native fishes across ecologically important functional groups such as cleaners, predators, and herbivores.  Lionfish also had stronger effects on native prey and grew more than six-times faster than a similarly sized native predator, the coney grouper.  These results indicate that the lionfish invasion may have long-term, broad-scale impacts on the structure and function of invaded communities.

Where:
The FSUCML Auditorium

When:
July 12th from 7PM-9PM 
Bio: Dr. Mark Albins
Auburn University 

BSc U. Hawaii, Hilo 2003 
PhD Oregon State U 2011
(NSF Graduate Fellow) 
 
Dr. Albins's dissertation research focused on investigating the effects of an invasive predator, the Pacific red lionfish,Pterois volitans, on Atlantic reef fish communities.  For his current research as a post-doctoral associate at Auburn University (Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture), he will be investigating factors affecting settlement and early post-settlement mortality of fisheries species in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

Since 1999, Mark has dedicated his life to exploring, investigating, and understanding the ecology of marine fishes, and has had the privilege to dive some of the most remote and pristine marine ecosystems in the world.  He produces exceptional research that will inform management and provide the tools necessary to conserve our invaluable living marine resources for generations to come. Mark is also committed to education, both within academia and throughout the community, and believes that knowledge empowers us all to live with intention and a sense of responsibility. 
Join us
after the talks for a reception that gives you the opportunity to chat one-on-one with the speaker.  If you have any questions, please contact Courtney Feehrer (cfeehrer@fsu.edu).

Upcoming Lectures & Other Events 

Visit us on the web http://www.marinelab.fsu.edu 

Help solve the hunger crisis in our community,  Bring non-perishable food to the lecture that we can pass on to Second Harvest.



http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments

No comments:

Post a Comment