Limnoperna fortunei - Updating the geographic distribution in the Brazilian watersheds and mapping the regional occurrence in the Upper Uruguay River basin

Abstract: Limnoperna fortunei is an invasive alien species (IAS) that cause serious ecological and economic problems in Brazilian freshwater environments. Due to its high dispersion capacity and the lack of new records in peer-reviewed journals we carried out an extensive survey to update the distribution of L. fortunei in the Brazilian hydrographic basins. We also performed a detailed investigation of its distribution in the Upper Uruguay River basin using a molecular method. We presented new records, showing the invasion in new basins and a wide distribution in the basins previously infested. Additionally, we confirmed that the Upper Uruguay River is fully colonized by the golden mussel, being distributed in the lentic, lotic, and transitional lotic/lentic environments presented in this region. This update is an important tool for the implementation of guidelines and the development of safety protocols and sanitary barriers to avoid the dispersion of this IAS to new environments..