Two new exotic species identified in the Great Lakes

Two new exotic zooplankton species have crept into theGreatLakes, according to researchers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Cornell University researchers confirmed the species are inLakeErie. The findings are part of the EPA's biology monitoring program in theGreatLakes.

The species are Diaphanosoma fluviatile, which is from Central and South America and the Caribbean, and Mesocyclops pehpeiensis, which is native to tropical and temperate areas of Asia.

Scientists don't know how the zooplankton entered thelakebut have said it's the farthest north either species has been tracked in the Western Hemisphere.

"Generally speaking, westernLakeErie has the most diverse assemblages of these species out there, probably because of how nutrient rich it is, and how different it is than the otherGreatLakes," said Cornell taxonomist Joe Connolly. "It's shallow, it's relatively warm and you get a lot of strange things there."

Experts have called the discovery in largest fresh water system in the world alarming.

Researchers are uncertain what risks the tiny creatures may pose, but said both species haven't been determined invasive because of their low abundance. The university plans to continue closely monitoring the situation.

Many conservation groups have been pointing to ballast water discharge as the reason foreign species are showing up in theGreatLakes. The groups are calling for new regulations to require ships to treat their ballast.

"While we may not yet know how these two new species entered theGreatLakes, we do know that once in thelakesaquatic species are easily moved fromlaketolakeby ships," said Molly Flanagan with the Alliance for theGreatLakes in Chicago. "As a result, a new non-native species in oneGreatLakepose a potential risk for the entire region."