Species Accounts – Invasive Species Northern Ireland

Japanese skeleton shrimp

Caprella mutica

Status:

Established

Habitat:

Marine

Threats:

Reproduces quickly. Outcompetes native species.

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Japanese stiltgrass

Microstegium vimineum

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Terrestrial

Threats:

It creates dense impenetrable stands that crowd out the native vegetation within 3-5 years

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Killer shrimp

Dikerogammarus villosus

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Efficient predator. Adapatable to new freshwater systems. Highly mobile.

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Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Terrestrial

Threats:

Predates on native reptiles and possibly other native fauna. A potential disease and parasite vector

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Large-flowered waterweed

Egeria densa

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Competition with native plants, shading and blocking waterways, eutrophication and reduction of biodiversity

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Leathery sea squirt

Styela clava

Status:

Established

Habitat:

Marine

Threats:

Competes against native species for food and space. Fouls boats, oyster beds and moorings

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Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulata

Status:

Established

Habitat:

Terrestrial

Threats:

Could compete with other hole-nesting ducks such as Goldeneye and Goosander for nesting habitat

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Marbled crayfish

Procambarus fallax f. virginalis

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Potential threat of native crayfish. Potential threat to wetlands by extensive burrowing activities.

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Mediterranean Mussel

Mytilus galloprovincialis

Status:

Early stage establishment

Habitat:

Marine

Threats:

Outcompetes and displaces native mussels. Reduces genetic diversity of the native Mytilus species through hybridisation.

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