European River Lamprey [Lampetra]

Description

Lampetra is a genus within the family Petromyzontidae, consisting of species commonly known as the river lampreys. These species are characterized by their life cycle, which includes both marine and freshwater stages. Adults migrate to freshwater rivers and streams to spawn, and the larvae, known as ammocoetes, burrow in the sediment where they live for several years before transforming into adults and migrating to the sea. They have a distinctive toothed, sucking mouth and lack jaws. Lampetra species are important in their ecosystems for their role as both predators and prey.

Species

Taxonomy