Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Caspian Mud Shrimp (Chelicorophium curvispinum) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.

Chelicorophium curvispinum, Caspian Mud Shrimp, is an amphipod crustacean that is native to lower reaches of the large rivers that drain into the Black and Caspian Seas. This shrimp can be found in salt, brackish, and fresh water. C. curvispinum has been introduced throughout Europe from the release of ballast water and sediment as well as natural dispersal through European canal systems. C. curvispinum has been found to outcompete native macroinvertebrate species and reduce macroinvertebrate species richness. This has led to changes in abundance of native species at other trophic levels. The History of Invasiveness for Chelicorophium curvispinum is classified as High due to the impacts to native macroinvertebrates. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species. Areas of high match were found around the Great Lakes region and areas of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. Much of the remainder of the contiguous United States was found to have a medium match. The Certainty of Assessment is classified as High. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Chelicorophium curvispinum in the contiguous United States is High.