Résumé
The invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans) has been spreading rapidly across the Atlantic Ocean, causing significant ecological impacts. This study reports the first known record of a lionfish larva from the Amazon Continental Shelf off Northern Brazil which expands on existing knowledge of lionfish establishment in the region. The specimen, collected during the AMAZOMIX survey, was identified using DNA barcoding: a technique that analyzes a fragment of the COI gene for precise species identification. The larva was found near the coast of the Brazilian state of Amapá and presented characteristics typical of the genus Pterois, including the development of the fins and its distinctive pigmentation patterns. This finding, together with the previous records of adult individuals in the region, indicates local breeding in an established population. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the COI haplotype of the larva matches one recorded previously in the Amazon region, which reinforces the hypothesis of an invasion through the Caribbean, followed by migration and the expansion of the range of this invasive species. These findings highlight the effectiveness of DNA barcoding for the reliable identification of fish larvae and underscore the need for further studies on the dynamics of lionfish populations established in Brazilian waters to support the development of management measures and effective control strategies.