Extralimital introductions of Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816) ( Teleostei, Characidae) for sport fishing purposes: a growing challenge for the conservation of biodiversity in neotropical aquatic ecosystems

Human-mediated translocation of species is widely considered to be a serious problem for the conservation of biodiversity. Documentation of new records is important to understand the causes of extralimital species introductions because of their potential to displace native species and interfere with ecosystem functions. In Brazil, concern about documenting the presence of non-native fishes has predominantly focused on species from other continents; a relatively minor effort has been devoted to the extralimital spread of species from other basins inside the country. Here we summarize several records of a popular sportfish, the dourado, Salminus brasiliensis (Characidae) outside its natural range in Brazil, and discuss the potential causes and consequences of its introduction. More empirical research is needed to quantify new extralimital spread records of this species resulting from sport fishing. Confirmation of anecdotal reports is important to provide managers and stakeholders with reliable information. We focus the discussion on this species and other apex predators frequently introduced for sport fishing purposes.