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What do we know about Pterois volitans in the Reefs of Veracruz, Mexico?

The state of knowledge of lionfish ( P. volitans ) in the reefs of Veracruz and the need to promote research to inform decision-making in Veracruz’s NPAs is presented.


Introduction
Since its arrival to the Atlantic coast in 1985, the lionfish (Pterois volitans) has been studied for the threat it poses to native communities because it reduces fish abundance can unbalance reef trophic structure and affects regional biotic diversity. On the western coast of the Gulf of Mexico there are more than 100 reef structures distributed in three systems: the Lobos-Tuxpan Reef System (LTRS) in the north, the Veracruz Reef System (VRS) in the center, and the Tuxtlas Reef System (TRS) in the south of Veracruz. Knowledge of lionfish in these systems is practically limited to citing their presence. This note synthesizes the research results of P. volitans in the reefs of Veracruz and emphasizes the need to increase knowledge to inform decision making [1][2][3][4].
Genetic studies reveal that the lionfish population in Veracruz corresponds to the species P. volitans [5]. The first sighting of this species on the coast of Veracruz (western Gulf of Mexico) dates from 2011 in the VRS [6]. Subsequently, P. volitans has been documented as part of the ichthyofauna in the LTRS, VRS and TRS [7][8][9][10]. Despite the wide dissemination of the lionfish invasion in reef formations, research on this species in the reefs of Veracruz is very scarce and has been carried out exclusively in the VRS. Publications reveal that the size of P. volitans in Veracruz is 248.1±48.2 mm and the weight is 279.2±221.8 gr [11]. Likewise, it presents endoparasites (trematodes, cestodes and nematodes) with a prevalence of less than 30% and heavy metals in the tissues (Cd=0.03, Pb=0.66, V=7.3 and Zn=0.43 mg kg-1 dry weight) whose concentrations do not exceed official standards [12,13].
Analysis of the stomach contents of lionfish caught on the soft bottoms around the VRS shows that 95.4% correspond to fish living in association with the substrate (Synodontidae, Serranidae and Paralichthydae) and 4.6% to crustaceans and molluscs [14]. These authors cite that the density of lionfish in the area is low but do not provide any specific data. The knowledge of the distribution and abundance of lionfish in the reefs of Veracruz is basic to establish control policies for its population. Because lionfish consume fish that live closely linked to the substrate whose richness and abundance is greater in areas with high structural complexity [15][16][17][18]. Among the threatened species in Veracruz's reefs are Tigrigobius redimiculus, endemic to Veracruz and Halichoeres burekae, endemic to the Gulf of Mexico [19,20].

Conclusion
The condition of Natural Protected Areas (NPA) of the VRS and the LTRS as well as the proposal as NPA of the TRS [21][22][23] makes it essential to promote basic research, which will allow the elaboration of a diagnosis of the population of P. volitans in the reef ecosystems of Veracruz, as well as to evaluate the effect that

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its presence generates on the reef communities. Based on this information, the authorities of the NPAs will be able to generate adequate strategies for the management and control of the lionfish population in the reefs of Veracruz.