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Invasive Species Research in the Department of Biological Sciences

The United Nation’s Millennium Ecosystem Assessment identified invasive species as one of the major direct drivers of ecosystem service degradation. Moreover, the impacts of invasive species is growing in intensity in many ecosystems across the planet. The Department of Biological Sciences has an excellent reputation in non-native, invasive species research – a cross-cutting theme of our research groups. We are developing innovative approaches to understand what makes a non-native species become invasive, how rapidly they spread and what can be done to limit their impacts on native biodiversity.

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for key publications by members of the Department, or see our webpages for full publication lists.

Our work was featured in the Observer Newspaper Magazine on 15th January 2012 as part of the Newspaper's Ethical Awards. Take a look at the article to find out more about taking part in invasive species research.

To find out more about the invasive species studied in the Department, please see our table below:

Species and contact	Information
Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis Photo Bernd Haenfling Contact at Hull: Dr. Bernd Haenfling Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC	Introduction: 1920s and 30s Why/how was it introduced? In ballast water of ships Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The mitten crab can spread and multiply very quickly when conditions are right. The main ecological impacts are through predation on a wide range of native invertebrates and fish but also through competition. Further economical damage is caused by their intensive burrowing activity which can destabilise river banks. More information: Marine Life Information Network
Brown goldfish Carassius auratus auratus Photo Phil Bolton Contact at Hull: Dr. Bernd Haenfling & Prof. Ian Cowx Send records to: Environment Agency	Introduction: 1728 Why/how was it introduced? Pet trade Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The brown goldfish competes with native fish for food and spawning habitat and it can host non-native parasites. As it hybridises with the crucian carp, it contributes to the decline in native crucian carp populations. More information: Download a factsheet
Signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus Photo Thomas Breithaupt Contact at Hull: Dr Thomas Breithaupt & Dr Joerg Hardege Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)	Introduction: about 30 years ago Why/how was it introduced?: aquaculture Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The signal crayfish is fast growing, highly fecund and has few natural predators when adult. As it feeds on most small aquatic animals and plants it either predates on or outcompetes native crustaceans, amphibians and fish. Their borrows also damage river verges. Moreover they carry a fungal infection (Aphanomyces astaci), which introduced crayfish are immune against, but which kills the UK native white-clawed crayfish More information: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)
Harlequin ladybird Harmonia axyridis Photo Lori Lawson Handley Contact at Hull: Dr Lori Lawson Handley Send records to: UK Ladybird Survey & Harlequin Ladybird	Introduction: Arrived in the UK in 2003 Why/how was it introduced? Accidentally in the UK, but as a pest control in mainland Europe Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: It is a voracious predator and eats and outcompetes beneficial insects including other ladybirds. It is also highly fecund and dispersive, and therefore spreads rapidly reaching very high numbers. More information: Harlequin Ladybird Survey
Horse chestnut leaf miner Cameraria ohridella Photo Rich Andrews Contact at Hull: Dr. Darren Evans Send records to: Conker Tree Science	Introduction: Arrived in the UK in 2002 Why/how was it introduced? Accidentally Why is it a good invasive and what problems does it cause: Moths maintain high populations densities over years and there are few natural predators. The larvae mine within the leaves of horse chestnuts, and damage the leaves, which turn brown and fall well before normal leaf fall in the autumn. More information: Conker Tree Science
Red eared terrapin (slider) Trachemys scripta elegans Photo Lori Lawson Handley Contact at Hull: Dr. Darren Evans Send records to: Alien Encounters Amphibian and Reptile Conservation	Introduction: Recent years Why/how was it introduced? Pet trade Why is it a good invasive and what problems does it cause: Although widely released, red-eared terrapins do not seem to be reproducing in the wild. It is not truly invasive yet, however as it is a voracious predator it may have an impact on native amphibians, invertebrates, fish and possibly even waterfowl. More information: DAISIE terrapin factsheet
Topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva Photo Ian Cowx Contact at Hull: Dr. Bernd Haenfling & Prof. Ian Cowx Send records to: Environment Agency	Introduction: First recorded in the wild in the UK in 1996 Why/how was it introduced? Aquarium trade Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The topmouth gudgeon is one of the most invasive fish species in the UK. It can reach very high population densities and competes with native fish species for food and spawning ground or predates on native species. Species such as carp and roach could be particularly affected due to similar feeding habits. The species is also the healthy carrier of diseases (e.g. Spherotecum destruens) which can be lethal to native fishes. More information: Download a factsheet on topmouth gudgeon
Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum Contact at Hull: Prof. Ian Cowx (through East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust ) Send records to: UKEconet Local Action Network - Invasive and Problem	Introduction: 19^th century Why/how was it introduced? Ornamental garden plant Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The giant hogweed has few predators. The sap can sensitize human skin to ultra-violet light, leading to severe blisters. The plant also out-competes native vegetation and locally reduces biodiversity. More information: East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust
Himalayan Balsam Impatiens glandulifera Contact at Hull: Prof. Ian Cowx (through East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust ) Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)	Introduction: 1839 Why/how was it introduced? Ornamental garden plant Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The seeds of Himalayan balsam are ejected with considerable force thus allowing easy spread. It occurs often in high densities and locally reduces biodiversity. Areas with a high density of Himalayan balsam could suffer from erosion due to its’ shallow roots. More information: DAISIE himalayan balsam factsheet
Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha Photo Jeanette Rotchell Contact at Hull: Prof Jeanette Rotchell & Dr Joerg Hardege Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)	Introduction: 1820s Why/how was it introduced? Accidentally with boat traffic and deliberate to improve water clarity Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The zebra mussel can travel far distances attached to hulls of boats and releases millions of larvae, which can travel in ballast water. It is a very efficient filter feeder and able to modify the habitat it occurs in. The zebra mussel has an impact on phytoplankton, zooplankton, native mussels and native fish. More information: DAISIE zebra mussel factsheet
Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica Contact at Hull: Prof. Ian Cowx (through East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust ) Send records to: UKEconet Local Action Network - Invasive and Problem	Introduction: 19^th century Why/how was it introduced? Ornamental garden plant Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: Tiny fragments of Japanese knotweed can form new plants and it spreads rapidly. It damages property, out-competes native plants and threatens native insects. Once established it is difficult and costly to eradicate. More information: DAISIE knotweed factsheet
American brine shrimp Artemia franciscana Photo Africa Gomez Contact at Hull: Dr. Africa Gomez Send records to: no recording scheme at present	Introduction: Not in the UK, but present in several Mediterranean countries Why/how was it introduced? Aquaculture and the aquarium trade Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The establishment of this species in a saline water body often results in local extinctions of native brine shrimp species. More information: FAO information on Artemia biology

Species and contact

Information

Chinese mitten crab

Eriocheir sinensis

CMC

Photo Bernd Haenfling

Contact at Hull: Dr. Bernd Haenfling

Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC

Introduction: 1920s and 30s

Why/how was it introduced?

In ballast water of ships

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause:

The mitten crab can spread and multiply very quickly when conditions are right. The main ecological impacts are through predation on a wide range of native invertebrates and fish but also through competition. Further economical damage is caused by their intensive burrowing activity which can destabilise river banks.

More information: Marine Life Information Network

Brown goldfish

Carassius auratus auratus

Goldfish

Photo Phil Bolton

Contact at Hull: Dr. Bernd Haenfling & Prof. Ian Cowx

Send records to: Environment Agency

Introduction: 1728

Why/how was it introduced?

Pet trade

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause:

The brown goldfish competes with native fish for food and spawning habitat and it can host non-native parasites. As it hybridises with the crucian carp, it contributes to the decline in native crucian carp populations.

More information:

Download a factsheet

Signal crayfish

Pacifastacus leniusculus

crayfish

Photo Thomas Breithaupt

Contact at Hull:

Dr Thomas Breithaupt &

Dr Joerg Hardege

Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)

Introduction: about 30 years ago

Why/how was it introduced?: aquaculture

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause:

The signal crayfish is fast growing, highly fecund and has few natural predators when adult. As it feeds on most small aquatic animals and plants it either predates on or outcompetes native crustaceans, amphibians and fish. Their borrows also damage river verges.

Moreover they carry a fungal infection (Aphanomyces astaci), which introduced crayfish are immune against, but which kills the UK native white-clawed crayfish

More information: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)

Harlequin ladybird

Harmonia axyridis

H axyridis

Photo Lori Lawson Handley

Contact at Hull:

Dr Lori Lawson Handley

Send records to:

UK Ladybird Survey

Harlequin Ladybird

Introduction:

Arrived in the UK in 2003

Why/how was it introduced? Accidentally in the UK, but as a pest control in mainland Europe

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause:

It is a voracious predator and eats and outcompetes beneficial insects including other ladybirds. It is also highly fecund and dispersive, and therefore spreads rapidly reaching very high numbers.

More information:

Harlequin Ladybird Survey

Horse chestnut leaf miner

Cameraria ohridella

Photo Rich Andrews

Contact at Hull:

Dr. Darren Evans

Send records to:

Conker Tree Science

Introduction:

Arrived in the UK in 2002

Why/how was it introduced? Accidentally

Why is it a good invasive and what problems does it cause: Moths maintain high populations densities over years and there are few natural predators. The larvae mine within the leaves of horse chestnuts, and damage the leaves, which turn brown and fall well before normal leaf fall in the autumn.

More information:

Conker Tree Science

Red eared terrapin (slider)

Trachemys scripta elegans

Photo Lori Lawson Handley

Contact at Hull:

Dr. Darren Evans

Send records to:

Alien Encounters Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Introduction: Recent years

Why/how was it introduced? Pet trade

Why is it a good invasive and what problems does it cause: Although widely released, red-eared terrapins do not seem to be reproducing in the wild. It is not truly invasive yet, however as it is a voracious predator it may have an impact on native amphibians, invertebrates, fish and possibly even waterfowl.

More information: DAISIE terrapin factsheet

Topmouth gudgeon

Pseudorasbora parva

Photo Ian Cowx

Contact at Hull: Dr. Bernd Haenfling & Prof. Ian Cowx

Send records to:

Environment Agency

Introduction: First recorded in the wild in the UK in 1996

Why/how was it introduced? Aquarium trade

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause:

The topmouth gudgeon is one of the most invasive fish species in the UK. It can reach very high population densities and competes with native fish species for food and spawning ground or predates on native species. Species such as carp and roach could be particularly affected due to similar feeding habits. The species is also the healthy carrier of diseases (e.g. Spherotecum destruens) which can be lethal to native fishes.

More information: Download a factsheet on topmouth gudgeon

Giant hogweed

Heracleum mantegazzianum

Contact at Hull:

Prof. Ian Cowx (through East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust )

Send records to:

UKEconet Local Action Network - Invasive and Problem

Introduction: 19^th century

Why/how was it introduced? Ornamental garden plant

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause:

The giant hogweed has few predators. The sap can sensitize human skin to ultra-violet light, leading to severe blisters. The plant also out-competes native vegetation and locally reduces biodiversity.

More information: East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust

Himalayan Balsam

Impatiens glandulifera

Contact at Hull:

Prof. Ian Cowx (through East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust )

Send records to: Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)

Introduction: 1839

Why/how was it introduced? Ornamental garden plant

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The seeds of Himalayan balsam are ejected with considerable force thus allowing easy spread. It occurs often in high densities and locally reduces biodiversity. Areas with a high density of Himalayan balsam could suffer from erosion due to its’ shallow roots.

More information: DAISIE himalayan balsam factsheet

Zebra mussel

Dreissena polymorpha

Zebra mussel

Photo Jeanette Rotchell

Contact at Hull:

Prof Jeanette Rotchell

Dr Joerg Hardege

Send records to:

Recording Invasive Species Counts (RISC)

Introduction: 1820s

Why/how was it introduced? Accidentally with boat traffic and deliberate to improve water clarity

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The zebra mussel can travel far distances attached to hulls of boats and releases millions of larvae, which can travel in ballast water. It is a very efficient filter feeder and able to modify the habitat it occurs in. The zebra mussel has an impact on phytoplankton, zooplankton, native mussels and native fish.

More information: DAISIE zebra mussel factsheet

Japanese knotweed

Fallopia japonica

Contact at Hull:

Prof. Ian Cowx (through East Yorkshire Chalk Rivers Trust )

Send records to:

UKEconet Local Action Network - Invasive and Problem

Introduction: 19^th century

Why/how was it introduced? Ornamental garden plant

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: Tiny fragments of Japanese knotweed can form new plants and it spreads rapidly. It damages property, out-competes native plants and threatens native insects. Once established it is difficult and costly to eradicate.

More information: DAISIE knotweed factsheet

American brine shrimp Artemia franciscana

Artemia

Photo Africa Gomez

Contact at Hull: Dr. Africa Gomez

Send records to: no recording scheme at present

Introduction:

Not in the UK, but present in several Mediterranean countries

Why/how was it introduced? Aquaculture and the aquarium trade

Why is it invasive and what problems does it cause: The establishment of this species in a saline water body often results in local extinctions of native brine shrimp species.

More information: FAO information on Artemia biology

Key invasive species publications by members of the Department:

Brown P, Thomas C, Lombaert E, et al. (2011) The global spread of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae): distribution, dispersal and routes of invasion. Biocontrol 56, 623-641.
Everard, M., Gray, J., Wilkins-Kindemba, V. & Cowx, I. G. (2009). Impacts of invasive species on ecosystem services: the case of the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). Environmental Law and Management 21, 250-259.
Gozlan, R. E., Britton, J. R., Cowx, I. G. & Copp, G. H. (2010). Current knowledge on non-native freshwater fish introductions. Journal of Fish Biology 76, 751-786.
Hänfling B, Bolton P, Harley M, Carvalho GR (2005) A molecular approach to detect hybridisation between crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and non indigenous carp species (Carassius spp. and Cyprinus carpio). Freshwater Biology 50, 403-417
Hänfling B, Edwards Fo, Gherardi F (2011) Invasive alien Crustacea: dispersal, establishment, impact and control. Biocontrol 56, 573-595.
Herborg LM, Weetman DW, Oosterhout C, Hänfling B (2007). Genetic population structure and contemporary dispersal patterns of a recent European invader, the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. Molecular Ecology 16, 231-242.
Lawson Handley LJ, Estoup A, Evans D, et al. (2011) Ecological genetics of invasive alien species. Biocontrol 56, 409-428.
Gherardi, F., Copp, G. H., Cowx, I. G. & Rosenthal, H. (2010). Alien species in aquaculture and fisheries. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 26, III-IV.
Simon A, Britton R, Gozlan R, et al. (2011) Invasive Cyprinid Fish in Europe Originate from the Single Introduction of an Admixed Source Population Followed by a Complex Pattern of Spread. PLoS One 6.