Thanks fieldmarshaldj.
Posted on 04/26/2019 12:35:20 PM PDT by Red Badger
Thanks fieldmarshaldj.
Same option for socialists.
Genetic mutations aren’t a requirment for a species to jump from one niche where they are adapted to another where they can dominate. Separated by geography that they could not cross on their own, the lionfish just needed an assist from humans. The article suspects that two distinct lionfish populations merged to make a super species — yet they admit they have found no such evidence. Would be nice if they found it, but it probably is only contributory to the Caribbean infestation.
Less so now. I dive the Caribbean twice a year and the lionfish are down noticeably the last few years. Because they are a species of reef fish the only way to catch them is to hunt them. But mostly the local fish are learning that they are good eating if you know how to deal with the spines. Groupers, for instance, have learned to drive them toward the surface. When the lionfish runs out of room it turns to dive, the grouper strikes and takes him head-first. The venomous spines fold up and are harmless.
I’ve also seen Moray Eels and Barracuda take them. So while organized dive operations were necessary in past years it seems like Mother Nature is re-dressing the imbalance.
There are photos of sharks feeding on them.
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