The Dispersal of the White Piranha, Serrasalmus brandtii (Serrasalmidae), a Non-Native Predator in the Doce River Basin, Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Serrasalmus brandtii is native from the São Francisco River Basin. However, this species has been introduced in numerous other watersheds. Here we report the first occurrences of S. brandtii and its dispersal in the Doce River Basin, in southeastern Brazil. In addition, we discuss the possible impacts of the species on native fish assemblages of this region. The individuals were captured during four years of aquatic biodiversity monitoring (2018–2022) after the Fundão mining ore tailing collapse in 2015. Data from SpeciesLink and literature were used to complement the dispersal history in the Doce River Basin. Our results show that the species occurred in nine localities in the lower portion of the watershed. The first record occurred in 1987, in the Santa Maria do Doce River, in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The establishment of S. brandtii in the watershed poses a real threat to native species, aggravating the effects of other anthropogenic impacts.