Distribution and Length Frequency of Invasive Lionfish (pterois Sp.) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

In recent years, the prevalence of invasive marine species in United States (US) waters has greatly increased due to anthropogenic factors such as transportation, trade, and aquaculture (Bax et al. 2003). As populations of invasive species increase in a region, they can displace native species, alter community composition and food webs, and change fundamental ecosystem processes (Molnar et al. 2008). Indo—Pacific lionfishes (