ARCTIC LAMPREY Lampetra Camtschatica Tilesius, 1811 (Petromyzontidae)
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ARCTIC LAMPREY Lampetra camtschatica Tilesius, 1811 (Petromyzontidae) Global rank G4 (05Sep1996) State rank S4 (21Jun2005) State rank reasons The most commonly occurring lamprey in Alaska; widely distributed. Overall abundance and trends unknown, but often found with some local distinguishing characteristics at the species level, abundance. Threats are minimal, although a but arrangement of teeth is most useful at the commercial fishery for this species was initiated generic level; supraoral tooth bar with 2 large on the Lower Yukon River in 2003. Harvested for cusps, presence of posterial teeth, and sharp, subsistence use although level of harvest is well-developed tongue teeth. Ammocoetes currently undocumented. Systematics needs (larvae) usually gray above and lighter below study. (McPhail and Lindsey 1970). Length (cm) range 13-36, max. 62 Taxonomy Systematics and nomenclature debated; Reproduction previously recognized as Lampetra japonica; Spawning occurs in spring, generally late May- current correct name is L. camtschatica (see early July at water temperatures of 12-15°C sources in Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Subgenus is (Heard 1966). Female may spawn with more than Lethenteron, which has been regarded as a one male. Up to 100,000 eggs laid by female; distinct genus by some authors (but not by Page eggs hatch within a few weeks. Ammocoete stage and Burr 1991 or Robins et al. 1991). Closely lasts at least 1 year, possibly up to 4 years. related and likely ancestral to the nonparasitic Metamorphosis occurs in fall (Hardisty and Potter American brook lamprey, Lampetra appendix 1971, Scott and Crossman 1973). (synonym: L. lamottenii) and Alaskan brook lamprey, L. alaskensis (Docker et al. 1999, Ecology Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Life cycle is complex; long-lived larval stage is followed by metamorphosis in which lamprey Recent genetic data (mitochondrial cytochrome b) develop eyes and teeth, then migrate to sea to indicate L. camtschatica and L. alaskensis are feed by attaching parasitically to various species genetically identical (L. alaskensis is considered a of fish. Host species include salmon derivative or satellite species of L. camtschatica; (Oncorhynchus spp.), rainbow trout (O. mykiss), Lang pers. comm.). However, if life history is not pygmy whitefish (Prosopium coulteri), ciscoes a valid criterion for defining species, then on (Coregonus spp.), and three-spined stickleback basis of morphology and genetic similarity all (Gasterosteus aculeatus; Heard 1966, Scott and three species mentioned (L. appendix, L. Crossman 1973). Adults return to freshwater camtschatica and L. alaskensis) may be referred streams to spawn, and die shortly afterward. to as L. camtschatica (Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Hardisty and Potter (1971) included both L. An important forage species for various alaskensis and L. camtschatica in the subgenus freshwater and marine predators: eggs, larvae Lethenteron. and adults preyed on by various fishes including burbot (Lota lota), Northern pike (Esox lucius) and General description inconnu (Stenodus leucichthys); also taken by Body elongate and eel-like with two dorsal fins gulls, especially when lamprey are concentrated arising far back on the body (second with a dark in shallow streams during migration. Declining blotch), and caudal fin connected to anal fin-like stream levels in late spring and summer may fold (well-developed in female, weakly developed strand ammocoetes in dry stream edges. At sea, in male). Brown to blue-black above, light brown, adults may compete for host fishes with Pacific yellow or silver beneath. Seven gill openings on lamprey (L. tridentata) where ranges overlap each side, mouth is jawless; a rounded oral (Scott and Crossman 1973). In Alaska, often sucker with teeth present on and around tongue. found co-occurring with Alaskan brook lamprey, L. Body size and color are the most important alaskensis (Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Early descriptions of resident freshwater nonparasitic depression or pit constructed by both sexes in Arctic lamprey are now believed to refer to gravel (Heard 1966). Habitat requirements Alaskan brook lamprey, as no resident freshwater apparently very similar to those of anadromous populations of L. camtschatica occur in North salmonids (Beamish pers. comm.). America (Mecklenburg et al. 2002, Renaud pers. comm.). Global range In Alaska, from Kenai Peninsula north along Marks to host fishes resulting from attachments of Bering Sea drainages and east along Arctic Arctic lamprey were reported on up to 60% of pink Ocean drainage as far as Anderson River; salmon (O. gorbuscha) in the Gulf of Amur, eastward across North America to Northwest Kamchatka Peninsula, and caused scarring to Territories and south to Great Slave and Artillery 60% of herring (Clupea pallasi) captured in the Lakes. Almost circumpolar, from Lapland White Sea (see sources in Beamish and Youson eastward to Kamchatka, Russia and south to 1987). Japan and Korea (McPhail and Lindsey 1970). An extremely oily fish; approximately 38% of an State range adult’s body weight is oil (Gay 2003). Harvested Widespread throughout the state from the Kenai for subsistence use by Alaskan Natives on the Peninsula north along Bering Sea drainages and Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers (Brelsford et al. east along Arctic coast as far as the Anderson 1987, Keim 2000). A small commercial fishery on River. Occurs inland up the Yukon, Kuskokwim the Yukon River commenced in 2003 (Hayes and and Tanana River drainages and around St. Salomone 2004). Lawrence Island. Absent from Southeast Alaska (Morrow 1980, Mecklenburg et al. 2002). Lamprey generally thought of as occurring in species pairs, one species being parasitic and Global abundance anadromous and its congener a nonparasitic Unknown; varies locally and seasonally. freshwater resident; L. camtschatica is sympatric Considered the most commonly occurring with dwarf freshwater derivative L. alaskensis lamprey in Alaska, often found with some local (Mecklenburg et al. 2002). abundance. Migration State abundance Metamorphosed lampreys move downstream to Unknown, although considered the most sea, lakes, or larger rivers during August- commonly occurring lamprey in Alaska, often November. Adults migrate upstream to spawn in found with some local abundance. Large numbers spring. Migrating adults often seen in vast ascend the lower Yukon, Kuskokwim and Naknek swarms, particularly at obstructions (Scott and Rivers to spawn (Morrow 1980, Mecklenburg et Crossman 1973). al. 2002). In November 2003, about 50,000 lbs. were commercially harvested on the lower Yukon Food River during a six hour fishery (Hayes and Invertivore, piscivore. Ammocoetes filter-feed on Salomone 2004). microscopic plants and animals. Adults parasitize and consume blood and body juices of various Global trend host fishes (Scott and Crossman 1973, Morrow Unknown. 1980); see Ecology comments. State trend Phenology Unknown. Ammocoetes primarily active at night, burrow into sediments during the day. Adult spawning Global protection migrations may occur day and night. No protective measures or legislation encompassing this species in Canada except for Habitat the general protection offered by the Habitat In nonbreeding season, at sea to 50 m depth. Sections of the Fisheries Act (Houston 1991). No Ammocoetes burrow into soft stream margins and formal protection in the U.S. (Renaud 1997). beds of silty mud in backwaters. Spawns in clear streams of moderate flow, out of the main current at water temperatures of 12-15°C. Nest is a Arctic lamprey 2 State protection identification. Importance as prey to freshwater Species afforded no formal protection in Alaska. and marine predators needs study, as does the Subsistence and commercial harvests are species’ role as a salmonid parasite. regulated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). Classified as a commercial Global inventory needs species by ADFG. Compile existing data (e.g., commercial fish records, subsistence harvest documentation) Global threats throughout range to better assess population Threats to spawning habitat include pollution and status (ADFG 2005). Conduct surveys at index water flow regulation or dams. Since little is locations to gauge population trend. known about local abundance and population trends, there is the potential for overharvest in State inventory needs subsistence and commercial fisheries. Lamprey Obtain local knowledge on lamprey distribution, appear to have habitat needs and life histories relative abundance, and harvest. Conduct similar to anadromous salmon; therefore, in areas surveys at index locations to gauge population where salmon populations are declining, lamprey trend. may also be at risk. The U.S.-Canadian lamprey control program focuses on eradication of the Global conservation and management needs invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the A conservation status assessment is especially Great Lakes region, and is not generally a threat needed in Asia, where almost no information to Arctic lamprey throughout their North American exists for this species (Renaud 1997). range. May be threatened in Europe by industrial pollution of spawning streams and capture of State conservation and management needs ammocoetes for use as bait (Lelek 1987, Renaud Determination of population size and trends is a 1997). priority for management of subsistence and commercial fisheries. Involve local communities in State threats harvest monitoring effort. Develop sampling Possible threats include pollution of spawning protocols