ÁREAS ADEQUADAS PARA HIMENÓPTEROS INVASORES NA AMÉRICA DO SUL

Abstract

The introduction of exotic species into native ecosystems has been of great concern, as such species can be considered invasive, causing ecological problems and socio-cultural impacts related to health and the economy. The biological invasion of exotic bees is an ecological problem characterized by negative impacts on its introduced ecosystem. Although Xylocopa bees are significantly diverse and are distributed in the Neotropical region, Xylocopa augusti Lepeletier, 1841 and Xylocopa splendidula Lepeletier, 1841, are not native to Mediterranean Chile. Therefore, they are recognized as exotic in this country. This study aimed to evaluate the invasive potential of exotic species and predict the potential macroecological effects of their invasions, indicating the distribution of the target species in the region. We also aimed to pinpoint possible distributions for these species in South America. We correlated the biogeographic occurrence data of species with climatic variables to model their potential distribution in both current and future scenarios. The models provide strong evidence that both species are changing their distributions, increasing, and advancing toward western South America, particularly Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. An increase in niche overlap among species has also been evidenced, and areas vulnerable to the establishment of invasive alien bees remain under potential threat to native species. The association of climate change with environmental disturbances caused by anthropic actions facilitates successful invasions. As a result, both species we analyzed may fully adapt due to climate change.