WoRMS source details
Rewicz, T.; Grabowski, M.; MacNeil, C.; Bącela-Spychalska, K. (2014). The profile of a ‘perfect' invader – the case of killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus. Aquatic Invasions. 9(3): 267-288.
229761
10.3391/ai.2014.9.3.04 [view]
Rewicz, T.; Grabowski, M.; MacNeil, C.; Bącela-Spychalska, K.
2014
The profile of a ‘perfect' invader – the case of killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus
Aquatic Invasions
9(3): 267-288
Publication
Available for editors [request]
The ‘killer shrimp’, Dikerogammarus villosus, has been recognised as one of the 100 worst alien species in Europe, in terms of negative
impacts on the biodiversity and functioning of invaded ecosystems. During the last twenty years, this Ponto-Caspian amphipod crustacean
has rapidly spread throughout Europe’s freshwaters and its invasion and continued range expansion represents a major conservation
management problem. Although a great deal of research has focused on this almost ‘perfect’ invader as its damaging impacts, realised and
potential, have become evident, we now present the first comprehensive review of D. villosus taxonomy, morphology, distribution,
community impacts, parasites, life history, physiological tolerance and finally, possible eradication methods. We show the direct and indirect
ecosystem impacts of this invader can be profound, as it is a top predator, capable of engaging in a diverse array of other feeding modes. It
can quickly dominate resident macroinvertebrate communities in terms of numbers and biomass, with subsequent large-scale reductions in
local biodiversity and potentially altering energy cycling, such as leaf litter processing. This damaging European invader has the potential to
become a key invader on a global scale as it may be capable of reaching North American freshwaters, such as the Great Lakes. One positive
aspect of this invader’s spread and impact is increased interest in alien species research generally, from decision-makers, stakeholders and
the general public. This has resulted in greater financial support to study invasion mechanisms, preventative measures to stop invasion spread and ways to minimise damaging impacts. Our review provides a specific example, that studies identifying management strategies that
mitigate against a potential invader’s spread should be undertaken at the earliest possible opportunity in order to minimise potentially
irreversible ecosystem damage and biodiversity loss.
Europe
Ecology
Invasions, introduction of alien species
Systematics, Taxonomy
Invasions, introduction of alien species
Systematics, Taxonomy
Date
action
by
Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (ecology source)
Austria for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Belarus for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Belgium for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Bulgaria for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Czechoslovakia for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
France for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Germany for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Great Britain for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Hungary for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Italy for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Krym for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Netherlands for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Poland for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Romania for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Switzerland for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Turkey-in-Europe for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Ukraine for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Ukraine for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Yugoslavia for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Belarus for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Belgium for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Bulgaria for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Czechoslovakia for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
France for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Germany for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Great Britain for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Hungary for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Italy for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Krym for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Netherlands for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Poland for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Romania for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Switzerland for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Turkey-in-Europe for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Ukraine for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Ukraine for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: native)
Yugoslavia for Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (origin: alien)
Distribution
Dikerogammarus villosus is an invader from the Black Sea. This species is expected to occur in all fresh and ... [details]