Limnetica 35
Massive occurrence of the invasive alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum (L.) Bory in a Brazilian lotic system and variables explaining its biomass in microhabitat scale
Invasive species are a common driver of biotic homogenization. This is especially concerning for aquatic environments in which new invasive species are recorded every year. Hydrodictyon reticulatum (L.) Bory is one of the most effective invasive algae, producing blooms in the Northern Hemisphere and in New Zealand. Here we report the invasive occurrence and analyse the environmental correlates of a massive growth of this species in an artificial channel in subtropical Brazil.We found that the biomass of Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, which is used by H. reticulatum as a growing substrate, explained the differences in the biomass of H. reticulatum among the sites. In addition, increases in regional temperature may be the main driver of the algal occurrence. Given the potential risks of H. reticulatum, we recommend that a monitoring plan should be established.
