Gymnothorax spp. (Muraenidae) as natural predators of the lionfish Pterois miles in its native biogeographical range |
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Authors: | Arthur R. Bos Ashraf M. Sanad Khamis Elsayed |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biology,American University in Cairo,New Cairo,Egypt;2.Naturalis Biodiversity Center,Leiden,The Netherlands;3.Dive Pro Academy,Hurghada,Egypt |
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Abstract: | Lionfish (Pterois miles) were observed avoiding coral pinnacles inhabited by the moray eels Gymnothorax flavimarginatus and G. javanicus in the northern Red Sea, Egypt. Release of lionfish (Standard Length 93–104 mm) in such coral pinnacles in November 2016 resulted in almost immediate predation by large moray eels (Total Length > 1 m). Predation by moray eels may be the key control mechanism of population growth in the native biogeographical range of Pterois spp. and may indirectly explain the success of the invasive populations. This is the first video-documented record of moray eels feeding on the lionfish P. miles. |
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