Embedded Files
IMG_5698.mp4
Additional Fun Facts about Sea Lampreys
Known as a living fossil because of its low amount of evolutionary change
Sometimes known as the "Vampire Fish due to the way it bites and feeds on other organisms
When they are born, they do not have eyes, fins, or teeth
Evolutionary Events from LUCA all the way to Homo Sapiens
Simplified Evolutionary Tree to the Modern Lamprey
A look into some of the precursors to the modern day lamprey and its connection to other vertebrates
Lamprey Reproduction Mechanisms
The rich Variety of Lampreys, notably in the Great Lakes Region
Comparison of their Phenotypes
American Brook Lamprey
Two Triangular Dorsal Fins
Three Pairs of bicuspid Teeth
Dark Brown on the posterior and pale on the anterior side
Northern Brook Lamprey
One Continuous Dorsal Fin
Unicuspidal Teeth
Dark Grey Brown on the posterior and light grey on the anterior side
Silver Lamprey
One Continuous Dorsal Fin
Unicuspidal Teeth
Light Yellow on the posterior and lighter yellow on the anterior side
Chestnut Lamprey
One Continuous Dorsal Fin
Varying amounts of Bicuspid teeth around the mouth
Dark Brown, Yellow, gray on the posterior, and even lighter concentration on the anterior side
Sea Lamprey
Two Separated Dorsal Fins
Four Pairs of Bicuspid Teeth
Blue and Black on the posterior and silver to yellow color on the anterior side
Coevolution with Humans
There is not too much direct collaboration between Humans and the Sea Lamprey but of the incidents we have, it includes
Destruction of native fish populations due to the invasive Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes water system
This has contributed to a decrease in the fish population of the Great Lakes over the past 40 years
With fewer fish being present, less revenue could be generated from the fishing industry, leading to potential job loss and increased unemployment in affected areas
Invasiveness of the Sea Lamprey (Native Yellow) and (Non Native Red)
The extreme proliferation inside the Great Lakes can be easily seen as they can be found throught that water system
Another area of interactions is some areas in Spain and Portugal that consider the Lamprey a delicacy
For instance, some in Spain and Portugal eat a dish called Lamprea a la Bordelesa
From what has been said about the dish, customers normally explain the taste as similar to Squid with hints of earthiness and a slight saltiness. All mixed with varying peppers and seasonings from the region that help to enhance the flavor to the fullest.
Bibliography
“Exploiting the Physiology of Lampreys to Refine Methods of Control and Conservation.” Journal of Great Lakes Research, Elsevier, 29 Oct. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0380133021002343.
Fao Fisheries & Aquaculture, www.fao.org/fishery/en/organization/glfc. Accessed 12 June 2025.
McManus, Adrian. “Lamprea a La Bordelesa.” Adrianjmcmanus.Wordpress.Com, 17 Dec. 2012, adrianjmcmanus.wordpress.com/category/lamprea-a-la-bordelesa/.
“Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus) - Species Profile.” USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=836. Accessed 12 June 2025.
“Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus): U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.” FWS.Gov, www.fws.gov/species/sea-lamprey-petromyzon-marinus. Accessed 12 June 2025.
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Is a Sea Lamprey?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 29 Oct. 2016, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/sea-lamprey.html.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse