The invasive distribution of Lionfish in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico inferred from ecological niche modelling

Student: 
Susann Lüneburg

Invasive species are known to fill empty niches and often outcompete native species, changing trophic interaction and generating environmental and economic costs. The lionfish Pterosis volitans and Pterosis miles have been an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico for several years. Available literature will be systematically investigated for occurrence data of these species and the determination of influencing factors on distribution patterns in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Ecological niche modelling and database integration in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be used to identify the spatial invasive range of the species. This study will assess, if lionfish are likely to spread further outside the Caribbean and if their ecological niche is yet fully occupied.