A Review of Potential Methods to Control and Eradicate the Invasive Gammarid, Dikerogammarus Villosus from UK Waters
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Cefas contract report C5525 A review of potential methods to control and eradicate the invasive gammarid, Dikerogammarus villosus from UK waters Paul Stebbing, Stephen Irving, Grant Stentiford and Nicola Mitchard For Defra, Protected Species and Non-native Species Policy Group Commercial in confidence Executive Summary The killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus (Dv) is a large gammarid of Ponto-Caspian origin Dv has invaded and spread over much of mainland Europe where it has out-competed a number of native species. Dv was discovered at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, England, in September 2010 and subsequently in Wales in Cardiff Bay and Eglwys Nunydd near Port Talbot. In early 2012 it was found in the Norfolk Broads, the full extent of its distribution in the area is still being determined. The main objective of this work was to review the potential approaches for the control/eradication of invasive Dv populations in the UK. The approaches reviewed include physical removal (e.g. trapping), physical control (e.g. drainage, barriers), biological control (e.g. predation, disease), autocides (e.g. male sterilization and pheromone control) and biocides (the use of chemical pesticides). It should be noted that there have been no specific studies looking at the control and/or eradication of this particular species. The examples presented within this study are therefore primarily related to control of other invasive/pest species or are speculative. Recommendation made and potential applications of techniques are therefore based on expert opinion, but are limited by a relative lack of understanding of the basic life history of D. villosus within its invasive range. Following a review of the literature directly associated with Dv, and broader, including the control of other invasive aquatic invertebrates, we highlight the following areas that may form effective control and/or eradication mechanisms: 1. The examination of the effects of electricity on Dv 2. Investigation of methods to increase trap effectiveness 3. Exploration of approaches for the use of habitat modification as a method of reducing population size 4. Investigation into the potential for population control using Dv pathogens currently absent from UK populations 5. Investigate delivery methods for six biocides that have been shortlisted due to their suitability. It is unlikely that a single control mechanism will result in the eradication of Dv. It is more likely that a range of mechanisms will be required, especially given the variety of environments that Dv are found. 2 Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. 2 1.0. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4 1.2. Objectives..................................................................................................................................... 5 2.0. Dikerogammarus villosus life history, behaviour and habitat preference ................................. 7 2.1. Growth and reproduction ............................................................................................................ 7 2.2. Habitat preference ....................................................................................................................... 8 2.3. Feeding ......................................................................................................................................... 9 3.0. Physical removal ....................................................................................................................... 10 3.1. Bank side applications ........................................................................................................... 10 3.2. Trapping ................................................................................................................................ 10 4.0. Physical Control ......................................................................................................................... 13 4.1. Habitat modification ............................................................................................................. 13 4.2. Physical Barriers .................................................................................................................... 13 4.3. Chemical and electrical barriers............................................................................................ 14 4.4. De-watering .......................................................................................................................... 15 5.0. Biological control ...................................................................................................................... 16 5.1. Predation ............................................................................................................................... 17 5.2. Pathogens ............................................................................................................................. 17 6.0. Autocidal ................................................................................................................................... 23 6.1. Semiochemicals and pheromones ........................................................................................ 23 6.2. Male sterilisation. ................................................................................................................. 29 7.0. Biocidal control ......................................................................................................................... 33 7.1. Compounds warranting further evaluation .......................................................................... 36 8.0. Synopsis and Recommendations .............................................................................................. 44 Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 48 References ............................................................................................................................................ 54 3 1.0. Introduction The killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus (Dv) is a large gammarid of Ponto-Caspian origin (Tricarico et al. 2010). Dv exhibits several biological characteristics which contribute to its environmental impact: long reproductive period, early sexual maturity, short generation time, high growth rates, short duration of embryonic development, large number of eggs, large reproductive capacity, highly predatory and tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions (Dick and Platvoet, 2000; Devin et al. 2004; Kley and Maier, 2006; Pockel 2009). These biological characteristics have made Dv an effective invasive species with only a few individuals required to establish new populations in recipient ecosystems (Devin et al., 2004). Dv has invaded and spread over much of mainland Europe where it has out-competed a number of native species (Van den Brink and Van der Velde 1991; Dick and Platvoet 2000; Kinzler and Maier 2003; Kley and Maier 2003; Grabowski et al. 2007) including Britain (MacNeil et al. 2010). Ponto-Caspian macro-invertebrate species entering mainland Europe has mainly been facilitated by the interconnection of river basins through man-made canals and intentional introductions (Bij de Vaate et al. 2002). A southern corridor connecting the Danube and Rhine rivers is likely to have been the route of spread of D. villosus via the hulls of ships or in ballast water (Casellato et al. 2007). The reopening of the Main– Danube Canal in 1992 matches with the recorded spread of this species across Europe, with water supplied from the Danube basin flowing into the Rhine facilitating migration. In its natural range, D. villosus is not the most abundant species of amphipod and does not behave as aggressively as it does in areas it has invaded. Wattier et al. (2007) stated that all major harbours of western continental Europe are likely colonized by D. villosus (including Rotterdam, Le Havre, Nantes and Marseille), and that further expansion in the range by commercial shipping activity is only a matter of time (Bollache et al. 2004). Dv was discovered at Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, England, in September 2010 and subsequently in Wales in Cardiff Bay and Eglwys Nunydd near Port Talbot. In early 2012 it was found in the Norfolk Broads, the full extent of its distribution in the area is still being determined. The prevention of the species further spread has been one of the main priorities of the Science and Technical Advisory Group (STAG), which was established to address immediate containment, associated risks, and long term risk management of Dv. All of the invaded sites in the UK are used for a number of recreational activities including sailing and angling, with members of the public using equipment at these sites that may subsequently be used at other freshwater venues in Great Britain. Dv has been found to readily attach to equipment that is used in water, such as sailing vessels, wetsuits, and fishing nets. These fomites (inanimate objects capable of carrying organisms and hence transferring them between water bodies) pose the 4 potential risk of spreading Dv to un-invaded ecosystems. Given the ease with which Dv can be spread, and the impact that the species has on invaded environments, there is a requirement to investigate methods by