From “Sabang to Merauke”, the presence of non-native Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) in Indonesia

Abstract

Mozambique Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus and Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticusare two non-native species of cichlids (Cichlidae: Cichliformes) that have established populations in Indonesia. There are many information about the presence of both non-native species in the country, but detailed distribution is filling a gap of information. We compile unpublished and published distribution records of Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis niloticus from various sources, particularly from iNaturalist (citizen science platform) and GBIF (The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, an international network of country and organizational participants that exists to enable free and open access to biodiversity data from all sources and to support biodiversity science, environmental research and evidence based decision-making). The historical records of O. mossambicus and O. niloticus were reviewed and summarized, and put the certain known distribution records into the map. Our study suggest that O. mossambicus and O. niloticus found widely throughout Indonesia, from Sabang (northwesternost: Aceh Province, Sumatra) and Merauke (southeasternmost: South Papua Province, Papua).