Killer shrimp ravage UK waters
Posted on 13. Sep, 2010 by Leon Kennedy in Other
A new species of shrimp are reportedly threatening the ecosystem in British waters. This species of shrimp, known as “Dikerogammarus villosus”, because of their violent and aggressive behavior have been nicknamed “killer shrimp”.
As humorous as the nickname may be, British scientists are seriously concerned about the impact these new shrimp could have on their waters. “We are devastated that this shrimp has been found in Britain,” said chief executive of the Environment Agency, Paul Leinster. “We are currently establishing the degree of the problem, and whether the shrimp is only in Grafham Water or if it is in nearby lakes and the Great Ouse as well.”
Apparently these foreign shrimp, which are native to waters between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, have chosen the native shrimp as one of their main targets for killing; and as they can grow as large as 30mm in length, these killers most be an imposing predator for the poor native English shrimp. Authorities believe that the killer shrimp have invaded their waters via the Danube River.
It is feared that the killer instincts of these foreign shrimp pose a threat to the local ecosystem, and that they could even lead to the extinction of certain species.
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