Alien crustaceans in the River Clyde and the rediscovery of a previously thought extinct tadpole shrimp, are just two of the topics to be explored when 420 delegates from 60 different countries gather at the University of Glasgow for the Sixth International Crustacean Congress on July 18-22 2005.

The conference is organised on behalf of the International Crustacean Council by the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences (IBLS) at the University of Glasgow, and coincides with The Crustacean Society's 25th anniversary.

'Crustacea' include the familiar crabs, lobsters and shrimps, but also many smaller planktonic species such as copepods and krill that make up an important part of the diet of fish and marine mammals. The programme highlights changing views of the relationships of crustaceans to other groups (such as insects), in the light of studies using DNA technology. Also, as concerns grow about climate change, it is timely that the congress will provide an overview of the ecology and biogeography of crustaceans in a wide range of environments, and will address the effects of human influences such as the introduction of 'alien' species, and the impact of fisheries and aquaculture.

Congress organiser Dr Douglas Neil, from the University of Glasgow comments:

'On behalf of the organising committee, I am delighted the Sixth International Crustacean Congress (ICC6) will be held at the University of Glasgow. The event brings together crustacean scientists from around the world.'

'We were privileged to be asked by the International Crustacean Council to host this event, as announced at ICC5 in Melbourne, Australia in 2001. It was a further honour also to be designated the 5th European Crustacean Conference (ECC5), as was decided at ECC4 held in Lodz, Poland in 2002.'

Speakers will explore a wide range of topics related to the biology of crustaceans, and to their commercial significance, including:

*A special session dedicated to the extensive scientific work of Professor Frederick Scram which will examine how rapid developments in the fields of genomics (the study of genes) and bioinformatics (the study of computing combined with biology) are changing our interpretation of the classification of this group of animals.

*An exploration of the widespread introduction of 'alien' crustaceans (mitten crabs, signal crayfish and caprellid shrimps) that is taking place worldwide, and how these invasions are affecting the local populations of crustaceans in rivers, lakes and coastal areas, including those in Scotland currently being studied by the Clyde River Foundation.

*Exciting good news: the recent re-discovery at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre in Caerlaverock, Dumfries of the tadpole shrimp, an ancient crustacean that was thought to be extinct in Scotland

*The importance of crustaceans as seafood will be highlighted by a discussion of the measures that are being introduced to ensure the sustainability of fisheries for crabs and lobsters, while improving the quality of their seafood products, a topic that is of particular importance for Scottish fisheries.

The event has sponsorship from Young's Bluecrest, the UK's most successful food companies. Focused entirely on seafood, it is a world-class processing business and currently supplies more than 40% of the UK market, and celebrates is 200th birthday this year.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For fuller details see: http://www.gla.ac.uk/icc6/, or call the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535.

First published: 5 July 2005