Abstract
The present work reports the finding of an introduced annelid, Lumbriculus variegatus Muller, 1774, in freshwaters of Minas Gerais (Brazil). The Family Lumbriculidae has a Holartic distribution and in recent years was introduced in aquatic environments of Patagonia (Argentina). This is the first report of the family in Brazil. The samples were collected with a D-shaped hand-net with 250µm opening mesh between 2011 (September) and 2012 (January, April and June) in an urban stream in Pocos de Caldas, southwest of the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil).
Highlights
The deliberate or accidental introduction of species by human activities may cause substantial environmental and economic damage, affecting population dynamics of native species, food web dynamics, and ecosystem processes (Vitousek et al 1997; Blackburn and Duncan 2001)
Lumbriculus variegatus was not cited in the data base of exotic species in Minas Gerais published by the Instituto Horus in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and Biodiversitas in Brazil
The specimens of L. variegatus were exclusively collected at sampling points 4 and 6, located in the urban area, and no worms were found in the preserved area
Summary
The deliberate or accidental introduction of species by human activities may cause substantial environmental and economic damage, affecting population dynamics of native species, food web dynamics, and ecosystem processes (Vitousek et al 1997; Blackburn and Duncan 2001). The aquatic oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus was first described by Müller (1774). Lumbriculus variegatus was not cited in the data base of exotic species in Minas Gerais published by the Instituto Horus in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and Biodiversitas in Brazil.
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