Detecting killer shrimp species

British people discovered fierce carnivorous shrimp in reservoirs in the eastern part of the country.

A shrimp Dikerogammarus villosus. (Photo: Stamfordmercury).

Some fishermen see strange shrimp in Grafham Water , Cambridgeshire county. They feed on invertebrate animals in the lake - such as other shrimp species - and also fry. They arrested them and brought them to the UK Environment Department for identification, the BBC said. The Environment Department asked a Dutch expert to identify strange shrimp.

Officials from the British Environment Department announced Dikerogammarus villosus , the name of the strange shrimp, is an invasive animal. Their food is many animals that live in freshwater environments. Even insects can be caught by them when perched on water. Assassin shrimp often kill prey but do not eat immediately but save.

Dikerogammarus villosus originated in the steppe waters between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Scientists believe that they invaded Western Europe across the Danube. During the past 10 years they have expanded throughout Western Europe. Most killer shrimp only have a body length of about 3 mm, but they can reach a length of 30 mm - much larger than native freshwater shrimp.

Paul Leinster , director of the Environment Department, said: " We are concerned about the arrival of this species in the UK. An investigation will be conducted to see killer shrimp species living in lakes near Grafham Water Lake. or not ".