Diversidade de répteis e anfíbios exóticos no Brasil: introdução, influência humana e desafios políticos

Abstract

In the global scenario of great loss of biodiversity and increase in the number of exotic species, understanding the processes and factors associated with invasion, at different time and space scales, allows the understanding of patterns that regulate the richness of invasive species. In addition, the identification of these factors is essential to prevent new introductions and to develop control and management measures for invasive species. The present thesis sought to understand the factors that affect the richness of exotic and invasive reptiles and amphibians in Brazil, analysing their origin, distribution, routes of introduction and how human activity influences these processes. The main gaps and limitations associated with the legal and illegal trade in native and exotic reptiles in the country were also analysed and discussed. The incidence of records and the richness of exotic amphibians and reptiles in Brazil supported the hypothesis that colonization pressure and human activity are key factors in explaining the increased diversity of exotic species. That is, the areas with high human activity and economically developed, where the transport routes are more intense and the population density is greater are the places where the introduction and the richness of exotic species are more frequent. Human activity has also proved to be important for the establishment of exotic populations outside the species’ fundamental niche. The relationship between spatial and climatic factors with species richness and incidence was not supported in this work. In Brazil, species previously introduced for human consumption and accidentally became widespread and invasive. The introduction to the pet trade, in turn, accounts for most of the richness of reptiles and amphibians introduced today and is prevalent in the most developed areas of the country. As the import of exotic reptiles and amphibians is prohibited and legal trade is extremely restricted, these results show that the regulation of the trade in pets and management of wild fauna in Brazil is flawed. The problems that affect the control of the legal and illegal pet trade are diverse and mainly involve legislative, economic, social and educational aspects. Critical measures have been suggested to assist sustainable management, reduce illegal trade and promote greater awareness and participation by society in the management of fauna. These results are important in the improvement of conservation strategies, regulations and educational actions aimed at reducing the arrival of propagules, overexploitation and the appearance of invasions.