Species: Entosphenus tridentatus
Pacific lamprey
Species
Show on Lists
Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Articles:
Prehistoric-looking lamprey are recolonizing parts of the Elwha River that they have not occupied for more than 100 years. Like salmon, the culturally and ecologically important fish also move from saltwater into rivers to spawn. And like salmon, lamprey were devastated by the dams that once blocked their way. We conclude our series 'Returning home: The Elwha's genetic legacy.'
Following dam removal, migratory salmon have been free to swim into the upper Elwha River for the first time in 100 years. Their actual behaviors and reproductive success may well be driven by changes in their genetic makeup. Our seven-part series 'Returning home' examines how the fish are doing and whether the Elwha's genetic legacy remains intact.
NatureServe
Classification
Other Global Common Names
lamproie du Pacifique
Ecology and Life History
Food Comments
Adults parasitic on fishes; attach and feed on body fluids. Parasitic stage may last 20-40 months (Lee et al. 1980) (probably 1-2 years in Goose Lake, California, population: Moyle et al. 1989). Ammocoetes (larvae) are filter feeders; feed on microscopic plant and animal material.
Reproduction Comments
The timing of migration to spawning stream varies geographically, and different runs may occur in a single river system. According to Wydoski and Whitney (1979) spawning occurs in June-July in Washington. In southern California, spawning likely begins by late January in most years, and spawning may continue into April (Chase 2001). In the Santa Clara River in southern California, upstream migration began as early as mid-December or as late as mid-March; peak migration occurred in March in most years (Chase 2001). Eggs hatch in 2 or 3 weeks. Ammocoetes remain in stream, metamorphose in 4-6 years (late September-October). Form <i>macrostoma</i> in British Columbia: spawns May-August, probably spends 6 years as larva and 2 years as subadult-adult before reproducing; metamorphosis July-October (Beamish 1987). Oceanic phase apparently may last 3-4 years in British Columbia but may be shorter in more southern areas (Moyle 2002). Generation time is 9 years (Luzier et al. 2011).<br><br>This is the only species of lamprey in which some individuals (from Washington) are known to spawn more than once (Page and Burr 1991).<br><br>See Luzier et al. (2011) for an up-to-date review of Pacific lamprey life history.
Distribution
Global Range
H - >2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles) - H - Pacific lampreys occur in rivers around the North Pacific Ocean from Hokkaido, Japan (Yamazaki et al. 2005), to Alaska (Cape Lisburne and Norton Sound; apparently rare north of the Alaska Peninsula) and south to southern Baja California (Luzier et al. 2011). Malibu Creek, Los Angeles County, seems to be the southernmost point of regular occurrence in California; scattered distribution south of San Luis Obispo County, with regular runs in the Santa Clara River (Moyle 2002). Adults are wide-ranging in the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Baja California. Landlocked populations occur in lakes or reservoirs in British Columbia, Oregon, California, and possibly elsewhere.<br><br>At least historically, Pacific lampreys penetrated far inland in the Fraser, Columbia (to Idaho), Klamath-Trinity, Eel, and Sacramento-San Joaquin rivers. Dams now block or inhibit upstream passage in many rivers.
Global Range Code
H
Global Range Description
>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)