Microbiota dynamics in lionfish (Pterois): insights into invasion and establishment in the Mediterranean Sea.

ABSTRACT: Lionfishes (Pterois spp.), originally native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, have become one of the most invasive marine species globally, including the recent establishment in the Mediterranean Sea. This study investigates the microbiota of lionfish to explore its potential role in their invasion success and establishment. Using high-throughput sequencing and microbiota analyses, we characterized the species-specific core microbiome and identified habitat-specific markers across different regions (Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean, and aquarium populations) and organs. Focusing on the Mediterranean invasion, we tracked lionfish distribution and population dynamics along the Israeli coastline from 2017 to 2023, monitoring size, seasonal trends, and depth preferences. Our findin

SUBMITTER: Meron D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12002675 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature