First occurrence of the Ponto-Caspian amphipod Echinogammarus trichiatus (Martynov, 1932) (Crustacea: Gammaridae) in Belgium

The Ponto-Caspian amphipod species Echinogammarus trichiatus (Martynov, 1932) was found in Belgium for the first time in June 2009 at two different locations in an artificial lake bordered by two large canals. Adults as well as juveniles were found in small numbers and occurred together with several other Ponto-Caspian species such as Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) and Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). An identification key to the genus Echinogammarus of inland waters in Western Europe is provided. This first record of yet another new amphipod invader in Belgium demonstrates the c... Mehr ...