Species Accounts – Invasive Species Northern Ireland

Virile crayfish

Orconectes virilis

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Predation of native species leading to disruption of habitats

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Wakame

Undaria pinnatifida

Status:

Established

Habitat:

Marine

Threats:

Habitat alteration. Loss of native biodiversity.

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Water fern

Azolla filiculoides

Status:

Established

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Reduction of surface light reaching the benthos.

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Water hyacinth

Pontederia crassipes

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Likely to have a significant adverse impact on biodiversity or the related ecosystem services

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Water lettuce

Pistia stratiotes

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Alters habitats. Creates single species matts. Crowds out native species.

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Water primrose

Ludwigia grandiflora

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Choke waterways and competing with native species

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Water soldier

Stratiotes aloides

Status:

Established

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Spreads vegatively. Grows quickly and forms large mats.

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Western Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Freshwater

Threats:

Attacks native fish species, consumes the eggs of commercially important fish, potential to transmit parasites to native fish

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White perch

Morone americana

Status:

Potential

Habitat:

Brackish

Threats:

Outcompetes native fish and consumes their eggs. Hybridises with other fish, altering and polluting the native gene pool.

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