Sea Lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) Predation on Freshwater Teleosts
The incidence of attack by the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) was studied on freshwater teleosts of similar and different size. Splake (Salvelinus namaycush × Salvelinus fontinalis), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) were attacked a significantly greater number of t...
| Published in: | Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1973
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f73-107 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f73-107 |
| Summary: | The incidence of attack by the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) was studied on freshwater teleosts of similar and different size. Splake (Salvelinus namaycush × Salvelinus fontinalis), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and white suckers (Catostomus commersoni) were attacked a significantly greater number of times than lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), burbot (Lota lota), shorthead redhorse suckers (Moxostoma macrolepidotum), and brown bullheads (Ictalurus nebulosus). Lampreys rarely preyed upon walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum). Most attacks occurred between the head and caudal peduncle below the lateral line and particularly in the region behind the pectoral fins. Lampreys attacked the largest individuals of any species more frequently than the smaller representatives. The presence of lampreys on a fish did not further the incidence of attack on that fish. None of the species of fish appeared to avoid lamprey attacks, nor did they avoid fish on which lampreys were attached. Only rarely were fish observed to dislodge lampreys. |
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