The Carolinas to New Jersey."Bad-News Beauties: Poison-spined fish from Asia have invaded U.S. waters" (SN: 9/9/06, p. 168) cites evidence of a severe genetic bottleneck, suggesting that perhaps no more than three pregnant females launched the expanding western Atlantic red lionfish The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish from the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. The red lionfish is also found off the east coast of the United States, and was likely first introduced off the Florida coast in the early to mid 1990s. population. How can there be "pregnant females" in an animal with the external fertilization External fertilization is a form of fertilization in which a sperm cell is united with an egg cell external to the body of the female. Thus, the fertilization is said to occur "externally". described in the article? Do you mean a founder population of as few as three individuals? Please clarify. LYNN LOZIER, FAIRFAX, CALIF. Three females, which release their eggs, could be the maternal ancestors of the red lionfish now breeding in the west Atlantic West Atlantic n. The westernmost branch of the Niger-Congo language family. . There would also have had to be at lease one fertilizing male present in that ancestral brood stock.--J. RALOFF I just wanted to report catching a 1 1/2-inch lionfish lionfish Any of several species of showy Indo-Pacific fish of the scorpion-fish family (Scorpaenidae), noted for their venomous fin spines, which can inflict painful, though rarely fatal, puncture wounds. behind Strathmere near Corson Inlet off New Jersey. I have been catching fish for my aquariums since 1961, and this is my first-ever lionfish. I read about some being caught near Long Island and Rhode Island Rhode Island, island, United States Rhode Island, island, 15 mi (24 km) long and 5 mi (8 km) wide, S R.I., at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is the largest island in the state, with steep cliffs and excellent beaches. and many living off the Carolinas. I thought I might capture one some day in the future but was much surprised to see this one in my trap. BOB SEABROOK, ABSECON, N.J. |
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