Sea Lamprey [Petromyzon]

Description

Petromyzon is a genus of lampreys in the family Petromyzontidae, known for the species Petromyzon marinus, commonly referred to as the sea lamprey. This genus is characterized by its parasitic lifestyle in the marine stage, where it attaches to fish with its suction-cup mouth filled with sharp teeth to feed on the host's body fluids. The sea lamprey is notable for its significant impact on commercial fish populations in the Great Lakes. The genus is distinguished by its lifecycle, which includes a larval stage spent in freshwater environments before migrating to the sea, and then returning to freshwater to spawn and die.

Species

Taxonomy