Abundance and Freshwater Migrations of the Anadromous Parasitic Lamprey, Lampetra tridentate, in a Tributary of the Fraser River, British Columbia

Abstract

The migration of young adult Lampetra tridentata out of the Nicola River during 1984–85 through 1987–88 was estimated to be approximately 176 000,19 000,90 000, and 102 000; at the same time, approximately 749 000, 909 000, 920 000, and 605 000 large ammocoetes, age 4 and 5 yr, left the river. Migration of young adults started in September, with the largest number migrating from mid-March to mid-May. Ammocoetes behaved similarly except that movement continued throughout the year. Most young adults metamorphosed at age 4 or 5 and were age 5 or 6 when they migrated to sea. It was not determined when lamprey from the Nicola River reached salt water; however, L. tridentata entered the Strait of Georgia from the Fraser River from March until July. Maturing adults first returned to the Nicola River from the ocean in August when water levels in the river were at their lowest. This is the first estimate of abundance of young adult L. tridentata in any river in the Fraser River drainage. The very large number of young adults and older ammocoetes leaving the Nicola River indicate that parasitic lamprey are abundant in the Fraser River and that they are potentially a common predator of commercially important fishes.

Evaluate Habitat Use and Population Dynamics of Lampreys in Cedar Creek, 2000 Annual Report.

“…Adults enter the stream from July to October. Spawning takes place the following spring when water temperatures are 10 -15 °C (Beamish 1980, Beamish andLevings 1991). Both sexes construct nests in gravel that are approximately 40 -60 cm in diameter and less than 1 m in depth (Close et al 1995).…”

“…They deposit between 10,000 -200,000 eggs and die within 3 -36 days after spawning (Kan 1975, Pletcher 1963. Larvae hatch in about 19 days at 15 °C (Pletcher 1963) and spend 4 -6 years as ammocoetes in fine sediment, pumping water through their branchial chamber, filtering diatoms, algae, and detritus (Beamish and Levings 1991). Pacific lamprey transform from ammocoetes to juveniles (macropthalmia) in July to October.…”

“…Though biological and ecological information for these species is available (e.g. Pletcher 1963, Beamish 1980, Richards 1980, Beamish and Levings 1991, few studies have been conducted within the CRB (Kan 1975, Hammond 1979. Actions are currently being considered for the recovery of Pacific lamprey populations in the CRB (Close et al 1995).…”

Determining Adult Pacific Lamprey Abundance and Spawning Habitat in the Lower Deschutes River Sub-Basin, Oregon, 2008 Annual Report.

“…Limited information on distribution and abundance is available for river lamprey and western brook lamprey within the CRB; however, studies in Canada have described biology of these two species (Beamish 1987;Beamish 1980;Beamish and Withler 1986;Beamish and Youson 1986;Richards et al 1982;Vladykov and Follett 1965;and Vladykov and Follett 1958). While Pacific lamprey life history information is available, many critical uncertainties remain (Beamish 1980;Beamish and Levings 1991;Close 1995;Pletcher 1963;Scott and Crossman 1973;van de Wetering 1998). Multiple projects are underway in the CRB to address these uncertainties (Bayer et al 2000;2001;2002;Close et al 1995;Close 1998;2000;2001;Jackson 1996;.…”

Determining Lamprey Species Composition, Larval Distribution and Adult Abundance in the Deschutes River Subbasin, Oregon ; 2007 Annual Report.

“…Studies in Canada have described river and western brook lamprey biology (Beamish 1987;Beamish 1980;Beamish and Withler 1986;Beamish and Youson 1986;Richards et al 1982;Vladykov and Follett 1965;and Vladykov and Follett 1958). While Pacific lamprey life history information is available, many critical uncertainties remain (Beamish 1980;Beamish and Levings 1991;Close 1995;Pletcher 1963;Scott and Crossman 1973;van de Wetering 1998). Multiple projects are underway in the CRB to address these uncertainties.…”