Genetic connectivity of lionfish (Pterois volitans) in marine protected areas of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea

Lionfish ( Pterois volitans ) have rapidly invaded the tropical Atlantic and spread across the wider Caribbean in a relatively short period of time. Because of its high invasion capacity, we used it as a model to identify the connectivity among nine marine protected areas (MPAs) situated in four countries in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. This study provides evidence of local genetic differentiation of P. volitans in the Gulf of...