[Answers to:]{.underline}

*The Lionfish Invasion!* Quiz

Lionfish, fire ants, zebra mussels, and kudzu---are all examples of
invasive species or "alien invaders" They are everywhere---in your
state, in your neighborhood and even in your backyard! Take this
interactive quiz to test your knowledge of invasive species and the
arrival of lionfish in the Atlantic Ocean. Good luck!

1.  A species that occurs in an environment naturally is called a(n):

    A.  exotic species

    B.  natural species

### native species

C.  non-indigenous species

D.  alien species

The correct answer is **C**; a species that occurs in an environment
naturally is called a **native species**.

An exotic, non-indigenous, introduced or alien species is any species,
including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material, capable
of propagating that species that is not native to that ecosystem. In
other words, any species that has been transported by human activities,
either intentionally or accidentally, into a region where it did not
occur previously.

2.  When an exotic species overwhelms a native species, it becomes:

    A.  a native species

### an invasive species

B.  an indigenous species

C.  an indigent species

The correct answer is **B**; when an exotic species overwhelms a native
species, it becomes an **invasive species**.

In the United States, we define an invasive species based on Executive
Order 13112 on Invasive Species
(<http://www.invasivespecies.gov/laws/execorder.shtml>), signed by
President Clinton in 1999. The Order also established the National
Invasive Species Council
(<http://www.invasivespecies.gov/council/main.shtml>). It says that an
invasive species is a species that has been transported by natural
processes or human activities, either intentionally or accidentally,
into a region where it did not occur previously, and reproduces and
spreads rapidly into new locations, causing economic or environmental
harm or harm to human health.

3.  Some introduced species become problems in their new homes. In what
    way(s) do exotic species harm native species?

    A.  Directly compete for resources like food, water or space

    B.  Alter ecosystem services and functions

    C.  Bring diseases with them from their native homes

    D.  Both A and B are correct

    E.  **All of the above (A, B, and C are correct)**

The correct answer is **E**---**all of the above**! Exotic species harm
native species in all three ways (A, B, and C)---they compete with them
for resources like food, water and space, alter ecosystem services and
functions, and bring diseases with them from their native homes.

4.  What is the most likely [vector]{.underline} for the invasion of the
    lionfish in U.S. Atlantic waters?

    A.  ship ballast water

### the aquarium trade

B.  aquaculture

C.  sushi restaurants

D.  live bait

The correct answer is **B**---the **aquarium trade**.

Evidence points to the aquarium trade as the most likely cause for the
invasion of lionfish in U.S. Atlantic waters. Therefore, the aquarium
trade is the vector or the pathway or method of invasion. Scientists
hypothesize that wholesale importers, culture facilities, hobbyist
aquarium owners or retail pet stores have introduced lionfish through
intentional or unintentional releases or escapes. Many non-native fresh-
and saltwater plants, fish and invertebrates are thought to have been
introduced into North America through the aquarium trade.

5.  Lionfish are native to:

### the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, including the Red Sea

A.  the Atlantic Ocean

B.  the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea

C.  the Caspian and Black Seas

D.  none of the above

The correct answer is **A**; lionfish are native to **the South Pacific
and Indian Oceans, including the Red Sea**.

Historically, lionfish are found in the warm waters of the
Indo-Pacific---in particular, the subtropical and tropical regions of
the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the Red Sea.

6.  Where in the food web of their native habitats would lionfish most
    often be placed?

    A.  They are herbivores.

    B.  They are omnivores.

    C.  They are detritivores.

    D.  They are predators.

    E.  **They are top predators.**

The correct answer is **E**; lionfish are often one of the **top
predators** in their native habitats in the South Pacific and Indian
Oceans.

A top predator is a species that is eaten by nothing else in the food
web. In other words, it has a place at the very top of the food web. It
is still unclear if lionfish are top predators in their new home in the
Atlantic Ocean, but some scientists have hypothesized that sand tiger
sharks may feed on them.

7.  Considering both their native and non-native ranges, in which of
    these habitat types would lionfish **NOT** be found?

    A.  hard-bottom habitats

    B.  coral reefs

    C.  artificial substrates like sunken ships

    D.  **mangroves**

The correct answer is **D**; lionfish are **not known to occur in
mangroves** **or mangrove forests**. Lionfish are primarily found in
coral reefs, but they can also be found on hard-bottom habitats (rocky
outcroppings surrounded by a relatively thin veneer of sand), as well as
sunken ships and other artificial surfaces.

8.  Where are the venom glands of a lionfish located?

    A.  On the tips of the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins

    B.  In a groove along the length of the spines on its dorsal, anal
        and pelvic fins

    C.  **At the base of the spines on the dorsal, anal and pelvic
        fins**

    D.  At the tips of the fleshy tentacles above the eyes and below the
        mouth

The correct answer is **C**. The lionfish's venom glands are located
**at the base of the sharp, slender spines located on the dorsal, anal,
and pelvic fins**.

A venom gland is located at the base of each spine. The venom is a
combination of protein, a neuromuscular toxin, and a neurotransmitter
called acetylcholine. After the fish's spine punctures the victim's
skin, the venom travels up a groove in the spine and into the wound. The
sting causes intense pain, redness and swelling around the wound site.
On rare occasions, when the venom spreads to other parts of the body,
people may experience headaches, chills, cramps, nausea, and even
paralysis and seizures.

9.  Currently, nobody is quite sure how far lionfish will spread in
    Atlantic waters, but scientists have made a hypothesis. Which
    statement below reflects that hypothesis?

    A.  Eventually, lionfish will invade the waters off the entire East
        Coast of the United States from Florida to Maine.

    B.  Lionfish will establish populations in the warm, subtropical
        waters off the coast of Florida only.

    C.  Lionfish will establish populations from the warm waters of
        Florida north to about Cape May in New Jersey, where juvenile
        lionfish have been found.

    D.  Lionfish will invade not only the warm waters of the Atlantic
        Ocean, but they will also invade the Gulf of Mexico.

    E.  **Lionfish will establish populations from the warm waters of
        Florida north to about Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, where
        coastal waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream.**

The correct answer is **E**. Scientists have hypothesized that
**lionfish will establish populations from the warm waters of Florida
north to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, where coastal waters are
warmed by the Gulf Stream**. Because lionfish are normally found in
subtropical and tropical waters, their distribution is limited in the
Atlantic by the colder temperate waters north of Cape Hatteras, where
the warm Gulf Stream flows away from the continental shelf.

10. Lionfish are related to the much more poisonous and dangerous:

    A.  **scorpionfish and stonefish**

    B.  string rays

    C.  mosquitofish and squirrelfish

    D.  sand tiger sharks

    E.  none of the above

The correct answer is **A**. Lionfish are most closely related to
**scorpionfish and stonefish**.

The species of lionfish now found in U.S. waters produces a mild poison.
Relatives of the lionfish, including the scorpionfish and stonefish,
produce a much more severe poison; in fact, the sting of the stonefish
can be fatal to humans. Today, a person with a home aquarium is more
likely to be stung by a lionfish than are a diver or a fisherman, but
these outdoor enthusiasts could be placed at risk if lionfish increase
in number along the heavily populated East Coast.