Sea lamprey  (Petromyzon marinus)

Authentication

Information authenticated by the Environment Agency:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Glossary

Anadromous: In fish: those species that spend most of their lives at sea but migrate to fresh water to spawn.
Dorsal fin: The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans.
Larvae: Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Spawning: The production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water.
Vertebrates: Animals with a backbone.

References

  1. IUCN Red List (November, 2008)
    http://www.iuncredlist.org
  2. Environment Agency. (1998) Species Awareness leaflet Number 5. Lamprey. Environment Agency, Bristol.
  3. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers: River, Brook and Sea Lamprey (September, 2008)
    http://www.english-nature.org.uk/lifeinukrivers/species/lamprey.html
  4. Fishbase (January, 2002)
    http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=2530&genusname=Petromyzon&speciesname=marinus
  5. Cihar, J. (1991) A Field Guide in Colour to Freshwater Fish. Aventium Publishing, Prague.
  6. Davies, C., Shelley, J., Harding, P., McLean, I., Gardiner, R. and Peirson, G. (2004) Freshwater Fishes in Britain – The Species and their Distribution. Harley Books, Colchester.
  7. JNCC (September, 2008)
    http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/species.asp?FeatureIntCode=S1095
  8. Life in UK Rivers Project (October, 2002)
    http://www.english-nature.org.uk/LIFEinUKRivers/index.html