Into the New World: first report of introduction of the Portuguese millipede Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) (Julida: Julidae) in South America and its potential invasion range into the continent

Abstract

Summary The Portuguese millipede Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) is widespread by commerce in Atlantic Islands, Australia, and South Africa, besides being regarded as a pest infesting plantations of vegetables and fruits. To date, the species has never been recorded in South America. In this study, we report for the first time the occurrence of O. moreleti in Brazil, with adults and immatures collected in the municipality of Campos do Jordão, São Paulo state. A maximum entropy model was used to explore the predicted distribution of the species in South America. The results showed a highly suitable area in the continent (AUC = 0.987), mainly in the Atlantic Forest, and regions of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Considering percent contribution, the annual mean temperature (= 34%) and the temperature seasonality (= 33.4%) were the main variables which influenced the modeling. The potential risks of invasion of O. moreleti must be highlighted, including possible competition with native millipedes, its being a significant agricultural pest, and its successful invasion into new habitat without natural enemies.