Petromyzonti (lampreys) >
Petromyzontiformes (Lampreys) >
Petromyzontidae (Northern lampreys) > Petromyzontinae
Etymology: Ichthyomyzon: ichthys, fish; myzon (Gr.), to suck (borrowed from Petromyzon), i.e., a sucking fish, referring to their suctorial behavior. (See ETYFish); greeleyi: In honor of fisheries scientist John R. Greeley (1904-1964), who collected holotype and granted the authors permission to describe it. (See ETYFish).
More on authors: Hubbs & Trautman.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Temperate; 43°N - 35°N
North America: Ohio River basin from southwestern New York to northern Alabama in USA.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 13.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)
Characterized by having one slightly notched dorsal fin, oral disc as wide or wider than head, teeth moderately developed, usually 57-60 trunk myomeres, black lateral-line pores on upper side, no black on pores below gills; gray-brown above, small dark flecks on side, cream or yellow fins (Ref. 86798). Other adult diagnostic features: 10.5-16.5 cm TL. Body proportions, as percentage of TL (based on 48 specimens measuring 11.0-16.5 cm TL): prebranchial length, 8.1-11.5; branchial length, 8.8-11.0; trunk length, 46.6-55.0; tail length, 24.5-33.9; eye length, 0.9-1.8; disc length, 4.0-7.9. Urogenital papilla length, as a percentage of branchial length, in 23 spawning males measuring 10.8-15.6 cm TL, 16.0-28.6. Trunk myomeres, 55-62, with strong modes of 57-59. Dentition: supraoral lamina, 2-4 teeth, usually 3 (if 3, the median one shortest); infraoral lamina, 7-12 unicuspid teeth; 4-5 endolaterals on each side; 6-10 bicuspid endolaterals in total, the other endolaterals, if any, unicuspid; 4 rows of anterials; first row of anterials, 3 unicuspid teeth; 4-5 rows of exolaterals on each side; 2-3 rows of posterials; first row of posterials, 10-11 unicuspid teeth; crest of the transverse lingual lamina strongly w-shaped, with numerous cusps; longitudinal lingual laminae each with undetermined number of unicuspid teeth. Velar tentacles, 2-4, smooth. Body coloration (preserved), dark slate or brown color on the dorsal and lateral surfaces contrasting sharply with the light yellow ventral surface. Pineal region is light yellow. Spent individuals are dark blue on the back and sides and bluish white below. Lateral line neuromasts darkly pigmented at least by 14.3 cm TL. Extent of caudal fin pigmentation, 75% or more. Caudal fin shape, rounded. Oral fimbriae number unrecorded. Oral papillae number unrecorded (Ref. 89241).
Freshwater. Found in large to small creeks (Ref. 89241). Found in gravel riffles and sandy runs of clean, clear high-gradient streams. Ammocoete larvae occur in sand, mud and debris in pools and backwaters. Non-parasitic (Ref. 5723). Adults preyed upon by Necturus maculosus<\i>. Spawning period at the end of May in Pennsylvania. Spawning occurs in watercourses with swift current and large stones (Ref. 89241).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p. (Ref. 5723)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5156 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00107 (0.00040 - 0.00285), b=3.03 (2.81 - 3.25), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 4.2 ±0.8 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tm>4).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (41 of 100).
