First report of Hygrophila corymbosa in Mexico
Hygrophila corymbosa (Acanthaceae) is native to Asia and has been introduced into Taiwan, the United States of America, where in the case of the latter it is recorded as a potential invasive species due to its rapid growth. The species has been recorded in thermal waters in Hungary (EPPO RS 2012/045). The species was identified for the first time in 2017 in the Mexican aquatic flora within the municipality of El Mante in the state of Tamaulipas in North East Mexico. As H. corymbosa is a popular ornamental species in tropical aquariums, it is possible that trade for aquaria has been a pathway of introduction into Mexico. Until now, H. corymbosa has only been registered in the urban area of the municipality of El Mante, although there is a risk of spread towards more northern sites as the invaded irrigation channels flow into the Guayalejo river. This would make it possible in the future for this weed to invade the extensive wetlands of the Guayalejo-Tamesí river basin where the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosí converge; an important area because of its high richness of aquatic flora. The distribution of H. corymbosa in Mexico should be further assessed with the view of eradicating the species.
Sources
Mora-Olivo A, Alvarez-Vazquez LA, Requena-Lara GN, Arellano-Méndez LU, Garza-Torres HA (2018) New record of Hygrophila corymbosa (Blume) Lindau (Acanthaceae) for Mexico, a highly invasive aquatic weed. BioInvasionsRecords 7, 375-379.