A VICIOUS invader from the seas that is steadily drawing closer to the Hampshire coastline could destroy life as we know it.

Scientists are warning that an inch-long predatory shrimp could pose a huge risk to local water life once it arrives via the shipping that navigates the Solent.

Dikerogammus villosus does not look like much but it is one of an ever-increasing number of invading species crossing the oceans that could pose more threat to biodiversity than global warming.

Scientists from the Southampton Oceanography Centre say a lot of harm has already been done to native species by aggressive invaders and the Southampton area is one of the worst affected.

Dr Alex Rogers, from the school of ocean and earth science, based at the centre, said the rise in invaders was a consequence of modern living and globalisation.

"These types of invaders are not that unusual. In fact most of them are thought to have come in on the South Coast and most of those via the Solent.

"It is a particular problem in this area because of the density of shipping and the large amount of time shipping has been using this area."

At a British Ecological Society conference this week ecology expert Dr Jaimie Dick from Queens University in Belfast warned that dikerogammus villosus has munched through many other species on its way from its Ukrainian home.

He said the freshwater shrimp has used ballast water in ships to travel to western Europe and reached Amsterdam by 1998, driving out other shrimp and attacking local waterlife.

"It has swept through Europe moving all through river systems and is very tolerant of different temperatures and salt water.

"It is exceptionally predatory - it seems to be able to kill virtually everything I have tested."

It has been warned that eventually fish and bird life could be affected, as has been the case with other aggressive animals and also plants such as Cord Grass, which destroy the natural balance of biodiversity.

Although there are regulations governing ships' ballast it is difficult to ensure that no contamination takes place, meaning that the Solent with its high levels of shipping could stand a high risk of hosting the pink or black shrimp already.

Dr Dick said: "It is possible that they are here already. If they do come in they will be noticed by scientists but it may be a little while - that is one of the problems since what can we do then - they are liable to keep on spreading."

According to the Southampton Oceanography Centre, there are very few solutions to the problem of aggressive invading species.

Dr Rogers said: "People have thought about trying to control the pest species but the problem is that by the time people realise there is a problem they are so widespread that an eradication programme is impossible."