Establishment and population expansion of the non-native Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) in the subtropical southwestern Atlantic

Abstract

This study documents new records and the spatial–temporal progression of the non-native Azores chromis (Chromis limbata) in southeastern Brazil, particularly on the coast of São Paulo state. We report the first confirmed occurrence of C. limbata in the Alcatrazes Archipelago and document that, in recent years, its abundance has exceeded that of the native brown chromis (Azurina multilineata). These findings indicate potential shifts in the taxonomic composition of reef fish communities and highlights the importance of further research to understand the processes driving these patterns and their ecological implications.