Physiological aspects of the life cycle of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis L

Pickering, A.D. (1978) Physiological aspects of the life cycle of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis L. In: Forty-sixth annual report for the year ended 31st March 1978. Ambleside, UK, Freshwater Biological Association, pp. 40-46. (Annual Report, Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside)

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Abstract

The life cycle of the river lamprey, L. fluviatilis, is reviewed. The larval lamprey, or ammocoete, is a blind, filter-feeding animal, which normally lies concealed in the silt deposits of streams and rivers. After a period of 3-5 years in fresh water the ammocoete undergoes a metamorphosis in the summer months into a sexually immature, non-feeding stage known as the macrophthalia, which is active. This stage migrates downstream in late winter. It adopts a parasitic existence, in intertidal areas. After 18 months it returns to spawn in fresh water, after a final freshwater stage lasting up to 9 months. The river lamprey dies within a few days after the spawning period of 3-4 weeks, and none survive to spawn the following year.

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