(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - lamprey, sea
OTHER COMMON NAMES - sea lamprey, lamprey-eel, lamper and fr. grande lamproie marine
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata, Vertebrata
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Cephalaspidomorphi,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Petromyzontiformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Petromyzontidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Petromyzon,
SPECIES AND SSP - marinus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Petromyzon marinus
AUTHORITY - Linnaeus, 1758
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 258, 1717, 4205 and 231
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
A small family of medium-sized to large anadromous or freshwater fishes,
inhabiting temperate marine or fresh waters of the northern and southern
hemispheres. Life history is complex. The larvae or ammocoetes live in the
soft bottoms of streams for many years, the length of time depending on the
species. After transforming into adults and moving downstream to sea or
lake, they may become parasitic and commence feeding on living fishes for
one or more years; or they may be non-parasitic freshwater species, spawn
soon after transformation, and die.*258*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Commercial/bait
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 258
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
Of little direct commercial importance. Although the flesh is palatable,
there seems to be no historic evidence of the use of lampreys for human food
in eastern Canada, but it was esteemed as food in New England in the 19th
Century and earlier, possibly as a result of its use as a food in the
British Isles during the Middle Ages. Some years ago V.D. Vladykov arranged
for some experimental canning and the product was quite attractive. Larval
lampreys are sometimes used as bait for fishing, especially in regions of
Quebec.
The major importance of the sea lamprey is its effect on other fishes, by
parasitism and predation. Attacks on lake trout and whitefishes in the
Great Lakes have been severe, and many control measures have been applied.
It also attacks many marine species, including Atlantic salmon. The victims
of such attacks, it they survive, are reduced in value by the ugly scars
made by the feeding sea lampreys.*258*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - MARINE
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 258
LAND USE -
Lakes
Reservoirs
Bays and Estuaries
Water
Streams and Canals
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 258
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine SB2 C D
Estuarine SB2 S 1
Estuarine SB2 S 2
Estuarine SB2 S 3
Estuarine SB2 S 4
Estuarine SB2 S 5
Estuarine SB2 S 6
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 4205
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The sea lamprey is an anadromous creature ascending freshwater streams in
spring to spawn but otherwise spending the adult phase of life in the sea
or in lakes where it leads a parasitic or predatory existence, feeding on
other fishes. Little is known of its life at sea, where it is only
occasionally caught, but a report suggested that it can descend to depths
of at least 4000 m, although much of its sea life is probably spent in
shallower water of 200 m or less, near or on the fishing banks where food
is abundant.*258*
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Predation and Competition: Adult sea lampreys have few enemies, but they
have been reported from the stomachs of swordfish and striped bass. There
is some evidence of feeding on their own kind.*258*
Parasites and disease: Parasites of landlocked sea lampreys include the
following species: trematodes (3), cestodes (4), nematode (1),
acanthocephalan (1), leech (1), mollusc (1), and copepod (1). Only the
leech, Piscicola zebra, has been reported from a seagoing form and that many
years ago.*258*
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
PARASITE
FILTERER
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 258
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
Larva Plankton Not Specified
Adult Fish Adult stage
Juvenile Clupeiformes Not Specified
Adult See Comments; Food
Larva See Comments; Food
Juvenile Salmoniformes Not Specified
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 4205
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 258 and 4205
REFERENCES FOR LARVAE FOOD - 258 and 4205
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
The larvae of this species is a filter-feeder, and as they transform to the
juvenile stage they become parasitic on a variety of freshwater, estuarine
and marine fish.*4205*
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
Adult sea lampreys prey on live fishes to which they adhere by means of
their sucker-like mouths, rasping away scales and flesh with the lingual
teeth and ingesting blood and flesh of their victims. At sea they attack
cod, haddock, hake, mackerel, shad, salmon, sturgeon, and even swordfish and
basking sharks. Freshwater or landlocked sea lampreys feed on a variety of
fishes, especially salmonids. Lampreys are often said to be parasites,
which indeed they are, if victims survive the attacks. If the victim does
not survive, which is often the case, then lampreys should be regarded as
predators.*258*
COMMENTS ON LARVAE FOOD -
In streams and rivers, larval lampreys feed on planktonic organisms,
especially algae, which they capture by facing upstream, head emergent from
their burrows. Newly transformed sea lampreys often commence feeding
during their downstream migration, attacking such fishes as salmon and
alewives. *258*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
FL Flow: Less than 5 cfs mean annual flow
FL Flow: Small streams [5-50 cfs mean annual flow]
FL Flow: Medium streams [50-1000 cfs mean annual flow]
FL Flow: Large streams [1000-5000 cfs mean annual low]
RL Flow: Rivers [greater than 5000 cfs mean annual low]
RL Substrate: Mud or silt
RL Substrate: Sand
RL Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Mud or silt
RL Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Sand
BA Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
BA Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
BA Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Pebble
BA Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Gravel
BA Aquatic Features: Riffles
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4205
REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4205
REFERENCES FOR JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4205
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4205
REFERENCES FOR RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4205
REFERENCES FOR RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 4205
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
The sea lamprey is found in a variety of environments including, cold
freshwater lakes, warm small streams, estuary shallows and the deep ocean
*4205*.
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
The most active migration and spawning occur in water from 10-18.5 degrees
C and 17-19 degrees C. The overall range is from 10-26 degrees C. Sand
gravel bottoms in or just above riffles are important nest site parameters
*4205*.
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
They burrow in beds of silty sand, sometimes emerging and dispersing
downstream, mainly at night *4205*
COMMENTS ON FEEDING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
They are found in small to large streams *4205*.
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
Description: Body eel-shaped, subcylindrical forward, laterally compressed
posteriorly. Head short; mouth (or buccal funnel) jawless, circular,
composed of large sucking disc with numerous conical teeth in radiating
series, lateral teeth on each side bicuspid , others simple; supraoral
lamina a large bicuspid tooth, infraoral lamina of 6-10 large pointed cusps,
tongue well armed with teeth; a single mid-dorsal nostril; eye small,
followed by 7 pairs of lateral gill openings. Fins; dorsals, 2, widely
separated above but narrowly separated at base, first dorsal origin behind
midpoint of body, second dorsal longer than first and separated from caudal;
caudal small broadly pointed, sometimes connected to a low anal fin in
females. Scales absent, skin smooth. Vertebrae 67-74 trunk myomeres;
skeleton cartilaginous, no vertebrae. Size to about 91 cm long. Color,
bluish-brown on back, mottled with blackish, confluent patches, light below;
colors brighter during spawning, with yellow hues.*258*
Predation and Competition: Adult sea lampreys have few enemies, but they
have been reported from the stomachs of swordfish and striped bass. There
is some evidence of feeding on their own kind.*258*
Parasites and disease: Parasites of landlocked sea lampreys include the
following species: trematodes (3), cestodes (4), nematode (1),
acanthocephalan (1), leech (1), mollusc (1), and copepod (1). Only the
leech, Piscicola zebra, has been reported from a seagoing form and that many
years ago.*258*
Reproduction: After living in the sea or lake for about 2 yr, lampreys enter
rivers to spawn; they may ascend many hundreds of kilometers to a spawning
site. Rivers supporting spawning runs in the Maritime Provinces have been
documented. In New Brunswick, for example, spawning runs occur in many
rivers flowing into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, also support spawning runs.
Spawning usually occurs in spring and early summer but varies widely
depending on latitude. Spawning migrations in Virginia and Maryland may
begin as early as March. In the Saint John River, NB, spawning migrations
may begin in April. Peak of spawning in New Brunswick rivers is mid-June to
early July, but some spawning activity has been reported in September.
A stony gravel bottom in shallow water, 25.0-50.0 cm deep is preferred for
spawning. A male will commence construction of a small depression in the
stream bed and, when joined by a female, a nest about 15 cm deep and 60-90
cm in diameter is made. Males are aggressive toward intruders. Spawning
occurs within the nest, where a female may deposit up to 300,000 adhesive,
nonbuoyant eggs. The adults die after spawning.
Evidence has been presented suggesting that lampreys use a pheromone, a
chemical substance exuded by their bodies, to communicate with each other.
Mature prespawning adults can apparently be attracted to a suitable spawning
stream by the chemical substances given off by the resident larvae in a
given stream. Also, urinogenital fluid of sexually mature males contains an
attractant for females and similarly sexually mature females produce a
substance in the ovarian fluid that attracts males. Knowledge of the
existence of pheromone communication among lampreys makes possible an
entirely different approach to lamprey control efforts.*258*
Physical description: This is a large parasitic lamprey and the
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
transformed specimens are usually 130-860 mm TL with two dorsal
fins. There were 69-75 myomeres in 12 Virginia specimens. The
dorsal fins are well seperated in larger speciemens, and some-
times contiguous at the base during maturity. There was a
unique occurrence of rays in the anal fins of two specimens.
The teeth are strongly developed, curved and sharp when not worn.
There are usually 17-19 circumoral teeth, 2 supraoral cusps, 8
bicuspid circumoral teeth, (6)7-9(10) infraoral cusps, 3 anterior
row teeth and 3-4 posterior row teeth. The lateral cusps usually
number 7-9 and the lingual laminae is strongly developed with the
tranverse lamina pronouncedly bilobed and with typically 4 large
denticles. Measurments in % TL. Disk length 7.4-13.2; eye
diameter 2.1-4.4, particularly large in newly transform specimens;
prebranchial length 11.3-16.8; branchial length 8.2-13.4; trunk
length 42.2-56.7; tail length 23.6-33.1. The ammocoetes are gray
to dark brown on the back and sides and paler ventrally. The newly
transformed specimens are grayish blue to blue-black, and silvery
white ventrally with a violet cast on the sides. The teeth are
yellow. The larger parasitic individuals are dark tan or brown
and usually heavily blotched with dark brown. Spawning adults
are blue-black *4205*.
Reproduction: The parasitic stage lasts 23-28 months and matur-
ation, spawning and death occurs the next spring or summer.
Upstream migrations occur in Virginia and Maryland between March
and June, with peak spawning in April and May. The most active
migration and spawning occurs in water from 10-18.5 degrees C
and 17-19 degrees C with the spawning range from 10-26 degrees C.
Sand-gravel bottoms in or just above riffles are important nest
site parameters. Nest construction is usually initiated by the
male and both sexes build the nest. The males are territorial
and the species is typically monogamous. Fecundity ranges from
123,900 to 304,830 *4205*.
Behavior: The food of the larvae is mainly small algae, chiefly
diatoms, and lesser amounts of protozoans which are filtered non-
selectively from water and sediments. The juvenile are parsitic
on a variety freshwater, estuarine and marine fishes including
bluefish, weakfish, shad, catfish, shark and chain pickerel.
Ammocoetes burrow in beds of sandy silt, sometimes emerging and
dispersing downstream, mainly at night. It has caused rapid and
massive depletion of important fish species *4205*.
Origin: The origin of this species is native *4205*.
Population parameters: This species has a full life span of 9-11
years. Fecundity is from 123,900 to 304,830 *4205*.
Aquatic/terrestrial associations: This species is parasitic as a
juvenile and preys on bluefish, weakfish, shad, catfish, shark and
chain pickerel *4205*.
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 258 and 4205
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Existing Construction of navigational improvements [dams, locks, etc.]
Existing Applying other toxicants
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 4205
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Attempts at lamprey control by chemicals, dams, and trapping are having some
success *4205*.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species lamprey, sea
Species Id M010138
Date 27 AUG 96
References
258 * Scott, W.B., M.G. Scott. 1988. Atlantic Fishes of Canada.
Canadian Bulletin of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (219) (ed.).
University of Toronto Press Toronto, Canada:731.
4205* Jenkins, R.E. 1984. Fishes of Virginia (tentative)..
4206* Mitchell, J. 1984. Herps of Virginia (tentative)..
References - 1