Aquatic Invasive Species in the Protected Areas of the Yucatan Peninsula and Adjacent Marine Zone, Mexico

Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss globally, affecting the quality of ecosystem services, economy and public health. Research on the presence, distribution, impacts and introduction pathways of invasive alien species is essential for understanding and tackling the invasion process. Continental, coastal and marine aquatic ecosystems of the Yucatan Peninsula concentrate a high number of native species richness; however, the states that are in the region (Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo) also have the largest loss of natural capital at the national level. The presence of aquatic invasive species has contributed to this downward trend, mainly in protected areas. For this research, an analysis in the national biodiversity information system, the global biodiversity information facility, and the specialized scientific literature was carried out to determine the presence of aquatic invasive species within the protected areas of the Yucatan Peninsula and adjacent marine zone. The results indicate that there are 22 documented aquatic invasive species in 25 protected areas, which were classified into the following taxonomic groups: marine macroalgae (3 species), plants (2), inland and marine fish (11), crustaceans (2), mollusks (2) and hydrozoans (2). Fifteen of these species had a very high invasiveness score, six were high and one had a medium score. This research will be useful to strengthen regional public policy and guide decision makers on the management of aquatic invasive species, mainly for those that are seriously affecting aquatic ecosystems such as Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and P. pardalis in freshwater protected areas and Pterois volitans in marine protected areas.