Dataset: The number of lionfish that moved between reefs and seagrass in Eleuthera, Bahamas from July to August in 2012

ValidatedFinal no updates expectedDOI: 10.1575/1912/bco-dmo.653754.1Version 1 (2016-08-10)Dataset Type:experimental

Principal Investigator: Mark Hixon (University of Hawai'i)

Contact: Cassandra E. Benkwitt (Oregon State University)

BCO-DMO Data Manager: Hannah Ake (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)


Project: Mechanisms and Consequences of Fish Biodiversity Loss on Atlantic Coral Reefs Caused by Invasive Pacific Lionfish (BiodiversityLossEffects_lionfish)


Abstract

The number of lionfish that moved between reefs and seagrass in Eleuthera, Bahamas from July to August in 2012

This was an observational field study on natural patch reefs with varying lionfish densities to determine if lionfish behavior and movements change at different local lionfish and prey fish densities.  Each reef was visited at three times of day: dawn, midday, and dusk, and two focal lionfish were observed during each visit at each reef. Behaviors of all lionfish were recorded the moment they were first sighted ("Initial behaviors"). One or two focal lionfish were observed for 10 minute intervals and all activity was recorded ("Focal behaviors").  The number of lionfish on each reef that arrived at or departed from each reef to/from the surrounding seagrass habtiat was recorded throughout each visit ("Movement").  Censuses of


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Related Publications

General

Benkwitt, C. (2016). Invasive lionfish increase activity and foraging movements at greater local densities. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 558, 255–266. doi:10.3354/meps11760
General

Benkwitt, C. E. (2016). Central-place foraging and ecological effects of an invasive predator across multiple habitats. Ecology, 97(10), 2729–2739. doi:10.1002/ecy.1477