Dataset: grouper-lionfish refuge competition expt

Name: Results of lab experiment examining competition for refuge space between invasive lionfish and Nassau grouper; conducted at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas from 2009-2012 (Lionfish Invasion project)
Published: 2013-06-03
Keywords: biota, oceans

Cite This Dataset

DOI:10.1575/1912/bco-dmo.3957.1

Spatial Extent: N:23.774192 E:-76.1075 S:23.774192 W:-76.1075

Temporal Extent: 2010-07-14 - 2010-08-25

Project:

Ecological Release and Resistance at Sea: Invasion of Atlantic Coral Reefs by Pacific Lionfish (Lionfish Invasion)

Lead Principal Investigator:

Mark Hixon (Oregon State University, OSU)

Scientist:

Timothy J Pusack (Oregon State University, OSU)

BCO-DMO Data Manager:

Shannon Rauch (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, WHOI BCO-DMO)

Version:

Version Date:

2013-06-03

Restricted:

Validated:

Yes

Current State:

Final no updates expected

Results of lab experiment examining competition for refuge space between invasive lionfish and Nassau grouper; conducted at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas from 2009-2012 (Lionfish Invasion project)

Abstract:

Results of lab experiment examining competition for refuge space between invasive lionfish and Nassau grouper; conducted at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas from 2009-2012.

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Archival Copy

Version Date	Archive	Persistent Identifier	Date Assigned
2013-06-03	Marine Biological Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Library (MBLWHOI DLA)	10.1575/1912/bco-dmo.3957.1	2019-11-06

Description

The investigators examined the interactions between invasive lionfish and native Nassau grouper using both a manipulative field study and a controlled lab experiment. This dataset results from the lab experiment testing for evidence of competition between lionfish and Nassau grouper for refuge space/shelter.

Related Datasets from sub-project "Interactions between native Nassau grouper and invasive lionfish":
artificial and transplant reef census
lionfish growth

Related Publications:
Pusack, TJ. Submitted. Evidence of bioltic resistance: native Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) mitigate predator effects of invasive Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) on Atlantic coral reefs. Ecological Applications.

Raymond WW, MA Albins, and TJ Pusack. In Review. Shelter competition between invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans) and native Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

Methods & Sampling

In the controlled lab experiment, the investigators tested for evidence of competition for refuge space between lionfish and Nassau grouper at various size ratios. They used size ratios of 1:1, 1:4, 3:1 (lionfish:Nassau grouper TL). Mesh cages were placed in in-ground tanks with flow-through sea water. Specimens were first observed in isolation and then together. There was one refuge space (half of a cinder block) in each area either during the isolation period or when the fish were all together. To test for competition, the investigators established whether or not each specimen was closer to or further away from the shelter during the isolation period using a random positioning probability. This procedure was repeated when the two species were together to look for changes in behavior.

The investigators also tested for whether or not the larger specimen (predation species) would consume various species, either the opposite experimental specimen or a common prey fish (Halichoeres bivittatus, common name Slippery dick wrasse). The following predation events were observed throughout the experiment:

Predator species	Prey species	Number of predation events
Epinephelus striatus	Pterois volitans	0
Epinephelus striatus	Halichoeres bivittatus	7
Pterois volitans	Epinephelus striatus	0
Pterois volitans	Halichoeres bivittatus	6
Pterois volitans	Haemulon sp.	4

Data Processing Description

BCO-DMO Processing Notes:
- Modified parameter names to conform with BCO-DMO naming conventions.
- Added lat and lon from the metadata provided.
- Replaced blanks and 'NA' with 'nd' ('no data').
- Added comments in the notes columns to indicate when observations stopped because one or more of the fish escaped.
- 09-Jan-2018: removed embargo on dataset.

Data Files

File
grouper_lionfish_refuge_comp.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 39.05 KB) MD5:b3ca30cd8d6a9c8af8133078014ae82b Primary data file for dataset ID 3957

More Information about this dataset

Funding Sources

Funding Source	Award Number
NSF Division of Ocean Sciences	OCE-0851162

Deployments

Deployment	Synonyms	Start Date	Platform	Investigator
PIMS_Hixon		2009-05-30	Tropical Marine Lab at Lee Stocking Island	Mark Hixon (Lead Principal Investigator)	data info

Instruments

None available yet

Parameters

Date and time formats are described in python strftime() syntax.

Supplied Name	Supplied description	Supplied Units	Standard Name
lionfish_to_refuge_dist_actual	Estimated distance of lionfish to the cinder block (refuge) based on what was recorded on the sheet.	cm	no_bcodmo_term
grouper_to_refuge_dist_scaled	The distance between the Nassau grouper and the refuge (cinder block) while in isolation. This distance was recorded on a sheet of paper with a scaled schematic of the actual cage dimensions.	cm	no_bcodmo_term
grouper_to_refuge_dist_actual	Estimated distance of Nassau grouper to the cinder block (refuge) based on what was recorded on the sheet.	cm	no_bcodmo_term
lionfish_to_grouper_dist_scaled	The distance between the lionfish and Nassau grouper when together; recorded on a sheet of paper with a scaled schematic of the actual cage dimensions.	cm	no_bcodmo_term
lionfish_to_grouper_dist_actual	Estimated distance between the lionfish and Nassau grouper based on sheet recordings.	cm	no_bcodmo_term
len_lionfish	Total length in centimeters of the lionfish.	cm	fish_len
len_grouper	Total length in centimeters of the Nassau grouper.	cm	fish_len
lionfish_to_refuge_dist_scaled	The distance between the lionfish and the refuge (cinder block) while in isolation. This distance was recorded on a sheet of paper with a scaled schematic of the actual cage dimensions.	cm	no_bcodmo_term
location	Denotes which in-ground tank (IGTA) was used: IGTA-SW is the in-ground tank on the southwest corner. IGTA-NW is the in-ground tank on the northwest corner. IGTA-NE is the in-ground tank on the northeast corner.	code	site_descrip
lat_site	Latitude of the site.	decimal degrees	lat
lon_site	Longitude of the site.	decimal degrees	lon
target_size_ratio	Indicates the target size raio of lionfish total length to grouper total length.	dimensionless	no_bcodmo_term
actual_size_ratio	The actual calculated size ratio by dividing the lionfish total length (len_lionfish) by grouper total length (len_grouper).	dimensionless	no_bcodmo_term
time	Time of day of the observations; 24-hour clock.	HHMM	time
replicate	Indicates the (unique) replicate for each size ratio.	integer	replicate
site	Name of the site.	text	site
notes_lionfish	Notes about the behavior, position, or movement of lionfish.	text	comment
notes_grouper	Notes about the behavior, position, or movement of Nassau grouper.	text	comment
date	Date that each observation was done in mm/dd/YYYY format.	unitless	date