Invasion alert: new record of the exotic Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 in the Puna Austral region, Northwestern of Argentina

Abstract

We report the first record of Gambusia holbrooki Girard, 1859 at elevations above 1,615 m in the Puna Austral, Provincia Catamarca, Argentina. This fish was introduced by intentional release. The Puna is characterized by an endorheic system, where the exotic species would cause a negative impact on the aquatic fauna by predation of eggs and larvae of native fish. Unfortunately, Argentinian conservation policies are directed to protect exotic fish before endemic ichthyofauna.