Southern brook lamprey

Last updated

Southern brook lamprey
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Agnatha
Class: Hyperoartia
Order: Petromyzontiformes
Family: Petromyzontidae
Genus: Ichthyomyzon
Species:
I. gagei
Binomial name
Ichthyomyzon gagei

The southern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon gagei) is a lamprey found in the Southern United States including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. It is a jawless fish with a sucking mouth on one end of it (like a leech). It can appear to be a small eel, since it is rarely longer than one foot in length.

Contents

Geographic distribution

The southern brook lamprey occurs in slow moving rivers and streams from Florida to southern Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas along the Gulf Coast west to Oklahoma and Texas. [2] It ranges as far north as Minnesota and Wisconsin, and has been reported to occur in the Chattahoochee River system and the Conecuh River system in Alabama, the Sabine river system in Texas and Louisiana, the Illinois River system in Oklahoma, and the Neches River system in Texas. The southern brook lamprey was thought to be restricted to the southern United States; however, Becker observed southern brook lamprey in Wisconsin in 1983. [3] The southern brook lamprey has also been reported to occur as far north as the Spruce River and the Tamarac River in Wisconsin and Minnesota. [4] Unpublished findings have also shown that the southern brook lamprey inhabits tributaries of Choctawhatchee Bay and the Ochlockonee River system in Florida, the Chattahoochee river system in Georgia, and the Trinity and San Jacinto River systems in Texas. [5]

Ecology

The diet of the southern brook lamprey changes as it undergoes metamorphosis during its life cycle from one phase to the next. The diet of larval southern brook lamprey consists mainly of organic detritus. Studies that focused on closely related lamprey species (I. fossor) found that the guts of larval lampreys contained 97.9% organic detritus, 2.12% algae, and 0.09% bacteria. [6] After metamorphosis into the adult phase, southern brook lampreys do not feed but rely on stored fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage for energy and nutrients. Studies have found that the digestive tract of the lamprey actually shrinks and becomes functionally useless as larval lampreys enter the adult stage. The southern brook lamprey encounters a wide range of predators in its natural habitat. [7] The eggs of adults are preyed on by various species of fish and crayfish. [8] Southern brook lampreys in the larval stage serve as prey for a wide range of fish and bird species. [8] Adult forms are preyed upon by larger fish species such as the Northern pike (E. lucius), perch species, the European chub (S. cephalus), and the mudpuppy (N. maculosus). The southern brook lamprey shares similar habitats and resources with many species of shiners (Notropis), the longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), Johnny darters (Etheostomanigrum), and mottled sculpins (Cottus bairdi). [9]

Life history

The creature's life cycle consists of two main stages: larval and adult. During the larval stage, the southern brook lamprey inhabits a distinct micro habitat involving relatively slow moving water and a sandy substrate. [7] The consistency of the substrate is vitally important to the Southern brook lamprey because during the larval stage, the lamprey burrows into the substrate using its oral disk as an anchor. [10] The southern brook lamprey secretes mucus from its body to form a tube leading to the entrance of the burrow and to provide support for the burrow. [10] The formation of this larval burrow relies on the composition and size of the substrate available. The combination of both small and large particles and coarse and fine sand grains allow the lamprey to construct a suitable burrow that allows enough water to flow through the burrow to ensure proper respiration. [10] The substrate in which larvae burrow must not contain too many fine silt and clay particles as this would inhibit respiration while too many particles of coarse sand would hinder proper burrow construction. [10] The larval stage is complete after approximately three years. [2] Following the larval stage, the southern brook lamprey undergoes metamorphosis into the adult form. Adults are found in crevices and cracks between large rocks in deeper, faster moving water than the habitat occupied during the larval stage. [9] After completing the metamorphosis to adults, southern brook lampreys come together in groups to spawn and, once spawning is complete, the adults die. [11] Spawning usually occurs between April and May and takes place in another distinct microhabitat consisting of shallow riffle areas with rocky substrate with a water temperature falling between 17 °C to 21 °C. [3] Fecundity of the southern brook lamprey averages between 800 and 2500 oocytes. [2] Human factors have been found to influence the lamprey's habitat. Southern brook lampreys have been recorded using shallow areas under bridges as spawning grounds, possibly to help conceal spawning aggregations from visual predators.

Current management

The southern brook lamprey is currently listed as a species of "least concern" in the United States by CN Red List. [12] It has also not been given any status regarding endangerment by the US Federal List or CITES. [12] Currently there are no conservation plans in action specific to the lamprey, nor laws or protected waterways aimed at conservation. [12] No evidence of biological factors has been found that would contribute to a decline in the abundance or the range of the creature; in fact, the biggest threat to the lamprey and closely related species is human-induced alteration of suitable microhabitats. [8] Habitat preservation and rehabilitation of affected microhabitats are essential. [8] Microhabitats used by the southern brook lamprey during all life stages must have a certain water temperature, substrate composition, and water quality to ensure successful habitation and spawning in these areas. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burbot</span> Species of fish

The burbot, also known as bubbot, mariah, loche, cusk, freshwater cod, freshwater ling, freshwater cusk, the lawyer, coney-fish, lingcod, or eelpout, is a species of coldwater ray-finned fish native to the subarctic regions of the Northern hemisphere. It is the only member of the genus Lota, and is the only freshwater species of the order Gadiformes. The species is closely related to marine fish such as the common ling and cusk, all which belonging to the family Lotidae (rocklings).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea lamprey</span> Parasitic lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) native to the Northern Hemisphere

The sea lamprey is a parasitic lamprey native to the Northern Hemisphere. It is sometimes referred to as the "vampire fish". In its original habitats, the sea lamprey coevolved with its hosts, and those hosts evolved a measure of resistance to the sea lampreys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Longear sunfish</span> Species of fish

The longear sunfish is a freshwater fish in the sunfish family, Centrarchidae, of order Perciformes. It is native to the area of eastern North America stretching from the Great Lakes down to northeastern Mexico. The longear sunfish reaches a maximum recorded length of about 24 cm (9.4 in), with a maximum recorded weight of 790 g (1.74 lb). Most do not live beyond six years. The longear sunfish is quite colorful, with an olive to rusty-brown back, bright orange belly and blue-green bars on the sides of its head. A unique characteristic is their elongated operculum flap, giving an appearance of a "long ear".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arctic lamprey</span> Species of jawless fish

The Arctic lamprey, also known as the Japanese river lamprey or Japanese lampern, is a species of lamprey, a jawless fish in the order Petromyzontiformes. It inhabits coastal freshwater habitat types in the Arctic. Some populations are anadromous, spending part of their lives in the ocean. It is the most common and widespread lamprey in the Arctic region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pouched lamprey</span> Species of lamprey

The pouched lamprey, also known as the piharau in the North Island, korokoro,kanakana in the South Island, or wide-mouthed lamprey, is a species in the genus Geotria, which is the only genus in the family Geotriidae. The second species in the genus is the Argentinian lamprey, which was revalidated as a separate species in 2020. The pouched lamprey is native to the southern hemisphere. It spends the early part of its life in fresh water, migrating to the sea as an adult, and returning to fresh water to spawn and die.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pacific lamprey</span> Species of jawless fish

The Pacific lamprey is an anadromous parasitic lamprey from the Pacific Coast of North America and Asia in an area called the Pacific Rim. It is a member of the Petromyzontidae family. The Pacific lamprey is also known as the three-tooth lamprey and tridentate lamprey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western brook lamprey</span> Species of jawless fish

The western brook lamprey is a small (<18 cm), widely distributed, non-parasitic species of jawless fish endemic to the freshwater coastal waterways of the Western United States and Canada. Its range extends from the North American Pacific coast from Taku River, southern Alaska, Queen Charlotte Islands, to central California, including Vancouver Island, with major inland distributions in the Columbia and Sacramento-San Joaquin watersheds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chestnut lamprey</span> Species of jawless fish

The chestnut lamprey is a species of lamprey.

<i>Lethenteron appendix</i> Species of lamprey

Lethenteron appendix, the American brook lamprey, is a common non-parasitic lamprey in North America. In adults their disc-like mouths contain poorly developed teeth, useless for attaching to a host.

The silver lamprey is a lamprey commonly found in the Northern and Central United States, as well as a large part of southern Canada. Its binomial name means "sucking fish" in Greek and "one-pointed" in Latin. The silver lamprey is a member of the class Agnatha, sometimes referred to as cyclostomes (round-mouths). Other common names include: bloodsucker, blue lamprey, hitch-hiker, lamper, lamprey eel, northern lamprety. The silver lamprey should not be confused with the sea lamprey, which has caused considerable damage to native fish populations in the Great Lakes region.

The mountain brook lamprey or Allegheny brook lamprey is a lamprey found in parts of the Mississippi River basin, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and in the Cumberland River and Tennessee River. This fish is jawless with a small sucker mouth and a long, eel-like body. It is fairly small, only growing to about 8 inches (20 cm) in length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern brook lamprey</span> Species of jawless fish

The northern brook lamprey is a freshwater fish in the family Petromyzontidae. It is closely related to the silver lamprey and may represent an ecotype of a single species with I. unicuspis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamprey</span> Order of jawless fish

Lampreys are a group of jawless fish comprising the order Petromyzontiformes. The adult lamprey is characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. The common name "lamprey" is probably derived from Latin lampetra, which may mean "stone licker", though the etymology is uncertain. Lamprey is sometimes seen for the plural form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusky darter</span> Species of fish

The dusky darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is found in, but not confined to, both large and small rivers, and shallow creeks, in the eastern, southern, and southeastern United States, particularly the Mississippi River drainage system.

The least brook lamprey is a common, non-parasitic lamprey distributed in the Mississippi River watershed, and a limited range along the Atlantic coast.

<i>Ichthyomyzon</i> Genus of jawless fishes

Ichthyomyzon is a genus of lampreys in the family Petromyzontidae, native to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gulf darter</span> Species of fish

The gulf darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is found in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It is a colorful fish, males having vertical barring of red-orange and blue-green near the tail, growing to a length of about 7.8 centimeters (3.1 in). It is typically found in small and medium-sized creeks, often in very shallow water. It occurs over sandy bottoms and among aquatic vegetation such as Sparganium americanum, foraging among the plants and organic debris for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<i>Branchiostoma lanceolatum</i> Species of lancelet

Branchiostoma lanceolatum, the European lancelet or Mediterranean amphioxus is a lancelet in the subphylum Cephalochordata. It is a marine invertebrate with a notochord but no backbone and is used as a model organism to study the evolutionary development of vertebrates.

<i>Lampetra ayresii</i> Species of jawless fish

Lampetra ayresii is a species of lamprey in the family Petromyzontidae. It is also called the river lamprey or western river lamprey. It is found in the eastern Pacific, specifically from Tee Harbor, Juneau in Alaska to the Sacramento–San Joaquin drainage in California, USA. It can survive in both marine surface waters and freshwater lakes, rivers, and creeks. In freshwater, it is found typically in the lower portions of large river systems. It is a predatory fish and feeds on fishes in the size range of 10–30 cm. It feeds by attaching to prey using its round, sucker-like mouth. Adult western river lampreys typically grow to about 21 cm (8.3 in) total length (TL), but can reach 31 cm (12 in) TL.

References

  1. NatureServe (2013). "Ichthyomyzon gagei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T202619A18232784. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T202619A18232784.en . Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Beamish, F.W.H. 1982. Biology of the Southern Brook Lamprey. Environmental Biology of Fishes. (7) p.305-320.
  3. 1 2 Cochran, P.A., Fago, D., Lyons, J. 2000. Wisconsin Fishes 2000: Status and Distribution. http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/lyons.html. 18 November 2012.
  4. Cochran, P.A., Pettinelli, T.C. 2012. Northern and Southern Brook Lampreys (Ichthyomyzon fossor and Ichthyomyzon gagei) in Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/projects/consgrant_reports/1987/1987_cochran.pdf. p. 1-12.
  5. Dendy, J.S., Scott, D.C. 1953. Distribution, Life History, and Morphological Variations of the Southern Brook Lamprey, Ichthyomyzon gagei. Copeia. (3). p. 152-162.
  6. Bowen, S.H., Sutton, T.M. 1994. Significance of Organic Detritus in the Diet of Larval Lampreys in the Great Lakes Basin. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. (51). p. 2380-2387.
  7. 1 2 Gallaway, B.J., Moshin, A.K.M. 1977. Seasonal Abundance, Distribution, Food Habits, and Condition of the Southern Brook Lamprey, Ichthyomyzon gagei, In an East Texas Watershed. The Southwestern Naturalist. (22) p.107-114.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Renaud, C.B. 1997. Conservation Status of Northern Hemisphere Lampreys (Petromyzontidae). Journal of Applied Ichthyology. (13) p. 143-148.
  9. 1 2 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement=AFBAA01040. 18 November 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Beamish, F.W.H., Jebbink, J. 1994. Abundance of Lamprey Larvae and Physical Habitat. Environmental Biology of Fishes. (39) p. 209-214.
  11. Williams, J., Zellers, R.2006. Arkansas Fish .p10. www.agfc.com/resources/Publications/ar_fish.pdf. 14 November 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 Oldsberg, R. 2011. Ichthyomyzon gagei. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Ichthyomyzon_gagei/ 18 November 2012.