This species was introduced into the UK in the 1970s as food source. It spread quickly up and downstream and human introduction, although illegal, is still continuing. It may travel over land to colonise near freshwater. Its negative impact is mainly due to the loss of the native crayfish species, the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) through spread of disease and direct competition. Furthermore, the Signal crayfish is also impacting the river banks as it uses to burrow into them, creating instability of the vegetation and the ground. It is a generalist that feeds on detritus and vegetation, however it also predates on native fish eggs and aquatic invertebrate (Non native species web site). Its presence alter the community stability
