Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Pontogammarus maeoticus (an amphipod, no common name) - Uncertain Risk

Pontogammarus maeoticus is an amphipod native to the Ponto-Caspian region. It is found in the Caspian, Black, and Azov Seas, tributaries of the Black Sea, and fresh and brackish waters of Ukraine. It has been reported as introduced in numerous reservoirs in Ukraine and Russia. Introduction of P. maeoticus into reservoirs was deliberate, but currently it is thought to be capable of spreading outside its native range in Europe by dispersal through rivers and canals. P. maeoticus has not been reported as introduced or established in the United States. Only a single statement of ‘competition’ was available regarding impacts of introduction. Therefore, the history of invasiveness is classified as Data Deficient. This species has a high overall climate match with the contiguous United States. Areas of high match occurred in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain regions. Because of a lack of information about the impacts of introductions of P. maeoticus, the certainty of this assessment is classified as Low. The overall risk assessment category is Uncertain.