Chilean Lamprey [Geotria macrostoma]
Description
The Chilean Lamprey is a species of lamprey that is endemic to Chile. It is primarily found in the rivers and lakes of Southern Chile. The adults are parasitic, feeding on the blood and body fluids of fish. They are characterized by a large, round mouth with a ring of sharp teeth, and a body that is eel-like in shape. The adults typically have a dark brown coloration on the dorsal side and a lighter color on the ventral side.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Lampreys
Petromyzontida
|
| Order |
Northern Lampreys
Petromyzontiformes
|
| Family |
Southern Hemisphere Lampreys
Mordaciidae
|
| Genus |
Southern Lampreys
Geotria
|