Life cycle of the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus: duration of and growth in the marine life stage

Abstract

Little is known about the marine life-history phase of the anadromous sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus. The most widely accepted hypothesis suggests a hematophagous feeding phase of 2.5 yr. We captured and tagged (individually numbered T-bar anchor tags) 408 postmetamorphic sea lampreys during the onset of the hematophagous feeding phase in the River Ulla and its estuary (NW Spain). One marked sea lamprey was recaptured during its spawning migration (total length: 895 mm, weight: 1218 g). This individual had been marked 13.5 mo before recapture, and had measured 218 mm and 20 g. Our results suggest that at least a portion of the sea lamprey population can reach adult size in 1 yr of hematophagous feeding. This further suggests a period between completion of metamorphosis and reproduction of 1.5 yr (18 to 20 mo).

Feeding strategy assessment through fatty acid profiles in muscles of adult sea lampreys from the western Iberian coast

“…In a recent study, researchers from the University of Santiago de Compostela tagged and released sea lamprey juveniles that were already feeding upon mugilids. In the following year they recaptured one of the animals, which had increased its length from 21.8 cm to 89.5 cm, and its mass from 20 g to 1218 g (Silva et al 2013a). …”

“…This is a non-trophic period during which lamprey utilize the lipid reserves accumulated in the larval phase (Bird and Potter 1983). The pelagic juveniles then migrate downstream to the sea, where they begin the parasitic stage of their life cycle, feeding primarily on blood and muscle tissue of marine fish for as much as 13 to 28 months (Beamish 1980, Silva et al 2013a. This marine phase is accompanied by the deposition of large amounts of lipids, particularly in the musculature, which act as the primary energy source during the upstream migration (Sheridan 1988, Bird et al 1993.…”

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

“…Similarly, little is known about the marine phase of anadromous sea lampreys, especially habitat and host preferences, dynamics and mechanisms of movement, although much has now been learned about how adults locate freshwater spawning streams and mates with streams using pheromones (e.g. Bjerselius et al 2000;Li et al 2002;Silva et al 2013a). Research into the effects of pheromones in the different spatial and chemical scales of the marine environment may provide management tools applicable to the regional stocks of anadromous sea lampreys.…”

Sea LampreyPetromyzon marinusBiology and Management Across Their Native and Invasive Ranges: Promoting Conservation by Knowledge Transfer

“…At the end of the ammocoete phase, they metamorphose into adults (Hardisty and Potter, 1971b), and then emerge from the substrate and commence their migration to sea, usually 165 in late autumn or early winter, with completion by spring the following year, although this varies regionally (Malmqvist, 1978;Hansen et al, 2016). After typically spending 18 to 20 months at sea and attaining lengths generally of 60 to 90 cm, they commence their 170 upstream spawning migration (Beaulaton et al, 2008;Silva et al, 2013).…”