Dataset: Fairy basslet censuses at control and experimental reefs near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas from 2009-2012 (Lionfish Invasion project)

This dataset contains counts of fairy basslet censused as part of a a controlled field experiment at reefs near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. (Part of sub-project titled, "Lionfish effects on fairy basslet population dynamics".)

To quantify to what extent patterns in prey mortality have changed since the arrival of lionfish, the investigators replicated an in situ field manipulation of prey density that was originally conducted prior to the invasion using the same study sites. A controlled field experiment was conducted at two reefs near Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas, inhabited by 16 local populations of fairy basslet: eight with artificially enhanced recruitment versus eight with natural recruitment. Ledges were paired by habitat structure and one ledge from each pair was randomly assigned to receive artificially increased density of new basslet recruits, with the other in each pair left as a control.