An invasive species of crustacean known as the killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus) is feared to be establishing itself in the UK. First identified at Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire in September 2010, it has since been identified at two locations in Wales, and may be present elsewhere.

Bournemouth once again played host to the annual ARC/BHS Scientific Meeting last Sunday, 4 December 2011. Over a hundred attendees made it a sell-out, and with a diverse programme of speakers, the meeting proved as popular as ever.

tThe adder, Britain's only venomous snake, is in crisis. This is the conclusion drawn by a group of reptile experts and conservationists who attended a conference on the latest research on adders, including reports about its status in this country.

Arnold Cooke is well known to many in the herpetological world. Both a prominent professional ecologist, and a highly-regarded amphibian specialist, he has worked with amphibians for many years. Most famously he has conducted the UK's longest-standing study of common toads and the effect of road mortality on their populations. 

The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) is the UK’s main professional body for ecologists, nature conservation practitioners, ecological consultants and the like. Whilst membership is not a life-or-death choice, there are times when it has distinct benefits. Today’s IEEM conference at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool was one such occasion.