After months of studies, scientists in Germany have confirmed that the crayfish, commonly known as the Marmorkrebs, can reproduce asexually.
They published the findings in science journal Nature earlier this year and warned of a threat to the European freshwater crayfish population.
No one knows exactly where the new lobster originated. They were introduced into Europe's fish tanks in the early 1990s by fish enthusiasts. Soon rumours began to spread that they could reproduce without mating.
Following up on the rumour, Gerhard Scholtz at Humboldt University in Berlin studied the animal and confirmed it could reproduce on its own. A closer examination ruled out the possibility that it is monoecious, as only ovaries are found.
That leaves only one conclusion: the crayfish clones itself. In fact, it can produce 20 or more clones in six months. If released into the wild, it is likely to crowd out the local population.
Another possible threat posted by Marmorkrebs is that their close relatives in North America are known to carry a fungus that almost wiped out the European crayfish population. But he good news is, it apparently tastes good.