Western River Lamprey [Lampetra ayresi]
Description
The Western River Lamprey is a non-parasitic species found in the coastal rivers of the Pacific Northwest from California to Alaska. Adults can grow to approximately 20 cm in length. Unlike the Pacific Lamprey, Western River Lampreys do not feed after metamorphosis. They live for a few months, spawn, and die. The larvae, like Pacific Lamprey, are filter feeders and live in the soft sediments of freshwater streams.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Lampreys
Petromyzontida
|
| Order |
Northern Lampreys
Petromyzontiformes
|
| Family |
Northern Lampreys
Petromyzontidae
|
| Genus |
Pacific Lamprey
Entosphenus
|