Invasion of exotic crabs
Discussion
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/08022006/140/monster-crabs-
Let the jokes begin
from above said:
Britain's waterways are set to be invaded by giant exotic Chinese crabs, environmentalists warn.They say the mitten crabs, which can grow to the size of a dinner plate, could overrun canals and rivers. Scientists also fear native species of crab could be overwhelmed like the red squirrel, on the verge of extinction after being pushed out by greys from the US.
Researchers at Newcastle University studied how the mittens had swept through continental Europe in the last century.
And they concluded that there could be a population explosion in the UK at any time.
The mitten crab, given its name because its claws, are coated with clumps of dark brown fur.
They prey on protected species and destabilise river banks by burrowing into them with their 50cm-long boreholes.
They are considered a delicacy in China and Japan when eaten raw and are already present in some British rivers including the Thames, Humber and Tyne.
Dr Matt Bentley, a member of the research team, said: "The pattern of the spread in the UK since the 1970s mirrors the spread in mainland Europe and in the Baltic region which experienced a major outbreak.
"This is a fairly good indication that the UK is set for a similar situation."
And speaking about the study, published in the academic journal Biological Invasions, he urged anglers to watch out for the crabs so they can be monitored.
Let the jokes begin
Parrot of Doom said:
Is it me, or do environmentalists fixate on the 'status quo', instead of accepting that changes happen?
Yeah, a bit scary really. Pessimists from the off in that article. Warn? Overrun? Fear?
Not, "A new species of crab finds our rivers and waterways a lovely place to settle down, babble babble babble, how about that for a change"
Dave
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff