Ecological Niche Model used to examine the distribution of an invasive, non-indigenous coral

摘要: All organisms have a set of ecological conditions (or niche) which they depend on to survive and establish in given habitat. The niche species limits its geographical distribution. In the particular case non-indigenous (NIS), requirements impose boundaries potential distribution organism new receptor regions. This is theoretical assumption implicit when Ecological Niche Models (ENMs) are used assess NIS. has been questioned, that some cases shift may occur during process invasion. We ENMs investigate whether model fit with data from native range coral Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 successfully predicts invasion Atlantic. also identified factors best explain this broad distributional T. predicted invaded sites well, especially along Brazilian coast, Caribbean Sea Gulf Mexico. occurrence was positively related calcite levels negatively eutrophy, but rather unaffected other variables often limit marine organisms, suggesting NIS wide limits, trait typical invasive species.