Intra-country introductions unraveling global hotspots of alien fish species

Human‐facilitated dispersal of the Gulf toadfish Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880) in the Guaratuba Bay, south‐eastern Brazil

“…However the presence of the species O. beta on the Brazilian coast indicates that this species colonized new environments through human facilitations (Caires et al ., 2007; Tomás et al ., 2012). Such a hypothesis is very plausible because most of the introduction and spread of non‐native fishes were mediated by human activities (Bezerra et al ., 2019; Vitule et al ., 2019); in many cases direct introductions through human activities, such as aquaculture, are the most important pathways for new invasions (Bezerra et al ., 2019).…”

“…The number of taxa recorded in areas far from their natural distribution continues to grow in South America (Bezerra et al ., 2019; Frehse et al ., 2018; Vitule et al ., 2019). This is especially true in the south‐eastern coast of Brazil, where the number of records of non‐native marine and/or estuarine fish species is increasing, and now includes the presence of Omobranchus punctatus (Valenciennes 1836) (Lasso‐Alcalá et al ., 2011), Pterois volitans (Linnaeus 1758) (Ferreira et al ., 2015), Heniochus acuminatus (Linnaeus 1758) (Adelir‐Alves et al ., 2018), Pomacanthus maculosus (Forsskål 1775) (Soeth et al ., 2018) and Plectorhinchus macrolepis (Boulenger 1899) (Adelir‐Alves et al ., 2019).…”

An inconvenient routine: introduction, establishment and spread of new non-native fishes in the Paraíba do Sul River basin, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…Recording the presence of new exotic ornamental fish species is essential to mitigate the effects of its introduction and prevent its further spread (Magalhães 2010;Vitule et al 2019). In the context of tropical systems such as Brazil and state of Minas Gerais, with 17 watersheds where native aquatic biodiversity is generally high, knowledge of non-native species introductions may help to limit the possible loss of biodiversity (Magalhães and Jacobi 2016).…”

“…Accordingly, the spread process of six non-native species occurred through the escapes from fish farms located on the slopes of the mountains and the creeks acting as stepping stones after flash floods in the rainy season, since their final portions drain directly to the Glória reservoir (Magalhães andJacobi 2008, 2013). Considering that dams are the principal human interference in the natural hydrologic regimes, facilitating biological invasions of species that also thrive in slow or non-flowing habitats such as lebiasinids, characids, loricariids and cichlids (Alves et al 2007;Magalhães and Jacobi 2008;Vitule et al 2019), and Glória reservoir has a dense mat of floating aquatic plants such as the eared watermoss Salvinia auriculata, AUBL. and the mosquito fern Azolla microphylla KAULF.…”

“…Preventing future introductions and spread is the most effective way of addressing invasion by non-native fishes (Lockwood et al 2007;Magalhães and Jacobi 2013;Vitule et al 2019). Therefore, preventive management actions along the following lines are suggested to avoid more introductions/spread: (1) awareness campaigns to educate people who work directly in ornamental fish farms and informing that releasing non-native species, even unintentionally, is an environmental crime according to the National Law on Environmental Crimes 9.605 of 1998 and the Decree 6.514 of 2008; (2) inspection of ornamental fish farms carried out by officials of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) in order to prevent escapes based on the National Law of Wildlife Protection 5.197 of 1967;and (3) if escapes persist, levying a fine performed by the IBAMA officials.…”