The occurrence of shrimp Athanas nitescens (Leach, 1814) in the Alcatrazes Archipelago conservation unit: How susceptible are other marine protected areas along the Brazilian coast to this invader?

Athanas nitescens , naturally distributed in the Indo-West Pacific and Eastern Atlantic, has been recorded as an alien species on the Brazilian coast over the last decade. This study reports, for the first time, its presence in the Alcatrazes Archipelago, a marine protected area (MPA), and assesses the risk of its colonization in other MPAs using the niche modeling approach. Three specimens of A. nitescens were registered in the Alcatrazes Archipelago: 1 male, 1 ovigerous female, and 1 parental female. The results suggested areas with environmental suitability (ES) for A. nitescens in the MPAs from the Brazilian coast, with salinity range and mean temperature as the most important factors for ES. Values of water temperature above 28 °C indicated a limitation of occurrence of A. nitescens ; thus, warmer areas such as the MPAs from northeastern Brazil demonstrated the smallest ES mean values compared to the Alcatrazes Archipelago Area. Conversely, the greatest suitability was found in southern Brazil, a region strongly influenced by the confluence of the Brazil and Malvinas currents, potentially reflecting a convergence of the key environmental variables modeled, similar to the species’ native range distribution. The importance of monitoring the presence of non-native species in marine protected areas is indispensable for preserving and evaluating the real risk that the potential occurrence of A. nitescens may represent for the native community. • Athanas nitescens is a non-native species established along the Brazilian coast. • The Alcatrazes Archipelago hosts native and exotic fauna from Brazil. • Monitoring the presence of invasive species in marine protected areas is important • Areas with environmental suitability for A. nitescens exist on the Brazilian coast • Marine protected areas need attention for invasive species.