Regiões potenciais para a colonização do copépode invasor Mesocyclops ogunnus (Onabamiro,1957) em território brasileiro

Abstract

Mesocyclops ogunnus (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) is a species native from Africa and Asia which has become established in Brazilian freshwater waterbodies. M. ogunnus individuals can colonize eutrophic and lentic waters, and have a high dispersal rate, moreover as many other microcrustaceans they can produce resistance eggs. Currently M. ogunnus is recognized as an aquatic invasive species (AIS), nevertheless there are almost no research papers on the range expansions of this species. Here we performed a systematic literature review on the occurrence data of M. ogunnus and utilized a Species Distribution Models (SDM) approach to assess the species current suitable areas in Brazil. For fitting our SDM’s models we combined 19 bioclimatic variables from CHELSA (Climatologies at high resolution for the earth’s land surface areas) and 5 Hydrographic variables from HydroSHEDS (Seamless hydrographic data for global and regional applications). We also tested a new approach for variable selection. Through our systematic review we returned 186 new occurrence records which were not registered in the GBIF (Global biodiversity Information Facility) from 2003 – 2022. Our SDM’s models showed new areas which are suitable for M. ogunnus colonization. For the future is expected a spread of the species to new regions on connected hydrographic basins. The spread of M. ogunnus reported here can signalize a potential challenge for the future. The management and prevention of AIS require a stricter approach of the government laws dedicated to the assessment and control of invasive species in the national territory once these species can cause several impacts in the ecosystems and lead to the loss of the local biodiversity. Identification of the invasions susceptible areas nowadays are a practice of uppermost value once it can allow resource and management optimization.