Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Caspian Slender Shrimp (Limnomysis benedeni) - Uncertain Risk

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.

Limnomysis benedeni, the Caspian Slender Shrimp, is a crustacean that is native to Eastern Europe and the Ponto-Caspian region. It has become widespread in Europe through two main pathways: migration to new basins through manmade canals, and intentional stocking to improve food availability in fisheries. Limnomysis benedeni has been demonstrated to be a carrier of burn spot disease, a shell disease in crustaceans, but no information was found on the potential impacts to aquaculture or threats to humans. The History of Invasiveness for Limnomysis benedeni is classified as Data Deficient due to limited and conflicting evidence of what negative impacts, if any, this species is having on ecosystems, native species, and nutrient cycles where introduced. 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, Northeast, and in patches out to the Western Mountains. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as Low. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Limnomysis benedeni in the contiguous United States is Uncertain.