Photo-identification as a simple tool for studying invasive lionfish Pterois volitans populations
Back to previous page
| Authors: | Chaves, LCT; Hall, J; Feitosa, JLL; Côté, IM |
| Year: | 2016 |
| Journal: | Journal of Fish Biology 88: 800-804 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | Photo-identification as a simple tool for studying invasive lionfish Pterois volitans populations |
| Abstract: | Photo-tagging, i.e. using a specific software to match colour patterns on photographs, was tested as a means to identify individual Indo-Pacific Pterois volitans to assist with population and movement studies of this invasive species. The stripe pattern on the flank of adult P. volitans (n = 48) was the most individually distinctive of three body regions tested, leading to correct individual identification on 68 and 82% of tests with a single and two images of the reference individual, respectively. Photo-tagging is inexpensive, logistically simple and can involve citizen scientists, making it a viable alternative to traditional tagging to provide information on P. volitans distribution, movement patterns and recolonization rates after removals. |
Departmental members may update their publication list.