Invasive Shrimp Ecology in European Waters

The introduction and establishment of non-native shrimp species have emerged as a significant component of aquatic invasions across European coasts and estuaries. These invaders often arrive via ballast-water discharge, aquaculture escapes or migration through artificial canals, and their euryhaline physiology enables rapid colonisation of both brackish and marine habitats. Once established, invasive shrimp can alter trophic interactions through predation on benthic invertebrates and competition with native decapods, thereby reducing biodiversity and modifying ecosystem function. Seasonal reproductive cycles and high fecundity have facilitated explosive population growth in temperate waters, particularly for species such as Palaemon macrodactylus and Penaeus pulchricaudatus. Thermal tolerances influenced by climate warming have further expanded suitable habitat northwards, posing new management challenges for conservation and commercial fisheries. Recent advances in ecological modelling have improved predictions of invasion hotspots, while field studies have begun to quantify the cascading impacts on benthic community structure and nutrient fluxes. Integrated monitoring programmes now combine molecular identification with traditional surveys to resolve misidentifications and track range extensions. Effective mitigation relies on early detection, rapid response and international cooperation to limit propagule pressure and preserve the integrity of European coastal ecosystems.

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Invasive Shrimp Ecology in European Waters publication trend

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Technical terms

Estuarine: Pertaining to the tidal transition zone where freshwater mixes with seawater.

Euryhaline: Capable of tolerating a wide range of salinity levels.

Propagule pressure: The quantity and frequency of individuals of a species released into a new environment.

Phylogenetic confirmation: Use of molecular genetic analysis to verify species identity and resolve cryptic diversity.

Biotic resistance: The capacity of native communities to repel or limit the establishment of invasive species.

References

1. Interspecific Aggression and Food Competition between the Global Invader Palaemon macrodactylus and the Native Palaemon elegans. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2022).
2. Presence of Palaemon macrodactylus in a European estuary: evidence for a successful invasion of the Gironde (SW France). Aquatic Invasions (2011).
3. Presence and Phylogenetic Confirmation of the Non-Indigenous Penaeus pulchricaudatus (Decapoda: Penaeidea) Stebbing, 1914 in the Mediterranean Sea. Marine Science and Technology Bulletin (2023).