First occurrence of Mesocyclops aspericornis (Daday, 1906) (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) in northern Colombia

Abstract

The occurrence of the Afro-Asian freshwater cyclopoid copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis in the Gaira River, Magdalena, northern Colombia, represents the first record in the area and expands its known distributional range in South America. The specimens examined are described and compared with available morphological data.The variability of this species is confirmed among American and Afro-Asian populations but it was observed also between two Colombian populations. This record contributes to track the advancement of this introduced species in the Americas.