Hybrid grouper fish , let go into Hong Kong ’s coastal water as part of a religious ritual , could be wreak havoc on local biodiversity . By exploit unequalled ecological niches and assert themselves as rife predators , the intercrossed giants have the potential to outcompete their native , non - intercrossed counterparts and threaten the balance of marine ecosystem .
roll in the hay as the Sabah grouper , or the Tiger Grouper - Giant Grouper hybrid ( TGGG ) , the intercrossed species is bred through aquaculture by interbreeding the Tiger Grouper ( Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ) with the Giant Grouper ( E. lanceolatus ) .
They commonly appear in Hong Kong ’s fish markets , where they ’re venerate for their ability to farm to huge sizes quickly . These qualities also make it a pop choice for local mercy release , a Buddhistic and Taoist drill where animate being are released into the wild .
The researchers took samples from Port Shelter Bay, south of Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong.Image credit: seaonweb/Shutterstock.com
The emblematic act is well - intentioned , but could it be anguish local ecosystem ? A team of ecologist at the University of Hong Kong recently investigate .
Using desoxyribonucleic acid metabarcoding , the researchers were able-bodied to analyze the genetic stuff found within the grouper ' stomach contents to get a clean idea of what prey they were eating . This let on that the Sabah grouper loanblend has a singular appetence , chowing down on various species that are n’t usually eaten by native species , including Pisces , crustaceans , and even squid .
By fill these untapped ecological character , it has carve out a roaring existence in coastal waters . In addition , its telling sizing , resiliency , and lack of raw predators place it as a unnerving contender for apex predator status .
“ Our findings show that the TGGG is not just another introduced specie , it has the potential drop to importantly disrupt trophic dynamic and reshape coastal ecosystems , ” Professor Celia Schunter , lead investigator of the discipline from the University of Hong Kong , said in astatement .
Hybridization issurprisingly commonin the natural world and it can be a powerful force for change . Occasionally , the offspring of two different species outperform their non - hybrid relative due to hybrid heartiness , aka hybrid vigor , where the hybrid inherit advantageous traits from both parent species .
A well-defined example of this is the hybrid Python that arecurrently taking over the Everglades . Combining the traits of both parent coinage – Burmese pythons ( Python bivittatus ) and Indian python ( P. molurus ) – the hybrid universe has skyrocket in late decennary , causing a collapse of the region ’s small mammals .
Just like Hong Kong ’s problem with the Sabah grouper , the Florida crossbreed python are ultimately the product of animals being released into the state of nature by humans . As for the hybrid fish , however , their unchecked spread human action as a living moral on how even well - meaning actions , like mercy departure , can ripple into bionomic chaos , reminding us that nature often yield the price for human supervising .
“ This study emphasize the need for careful monitoring and management to mitigate the unintended impact of human activities on biodiversity , ” explain Dr Arthur Chung , postdoctoral comrade at the University of Hong Kong and co - author of the sketch .
The new study is bring out in the journalReviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries .
