The Hulong hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) has invaded the coastal waters of Hainan Island, China

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1438895
• Publication Date: 2024-11-21T04:44:27Z
• Authors: Xiang Zhang; Jianlong Li; Sizhu Chen; Qingyan Yang; Fei Ji; Huigui Luo; Shaoxiong Ding
• Keywords: Epinephelus; Serranidae; Mariculture; Overfishing

Hybrid groupers, including the Hulong hybrid grouper ( Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × lanceolatus ♂), have become increasingly popular in mariculture across southwest Pacific, raising concerns about their potential to cause biological invasions. First developed Malaysia 2007 and introduced mainland China 2009, has been sighted coastal waters of Hainan Island, China, for over a decade. This study examines species' distribution, survival, ecological impacts these waters. From 2019 2023, social surveys, specimen collections, field observations confirmed widespread presence grouper, particularly inshore reefs artificial structures. Age determination gonadal analysis demonstrated long-term survival reproductive maturity wild. The introduction this species resulted from both unintentional escapes aquaculture facilities intentional releases. research represents first documented case an marine fish invading establishing population wild, with negative such as interspecies competition, disease transmission, genetic pollution.