Seasonal abundance, size, and host selection of western river (Lampetra ayresii) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary
Dates
Publication Date
2015
Citation
Laurie A. Weitkamp, Susan A. Hinton, and Paul J. Bentley. 2015. Seasonal abundance, size, and host selection of western river (Lampetra ayresii) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary. Fish. Bull. 113:213–226. doi: 10.7755/FB.113.2.9
Summary
Abstract—Little is known about the basic biology and ecology of most native lampreys, including the use of estuaries by anadromous lampreys. To address this deficiency, we provide the first analysis of anadromous western river (Lampetra ayresii) and Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus) lampreys in the Columbia River estuary, using data from 2 fish assemblage studies that span 3 decades (1980–1981 and 2001–2012). Pacific lamprey juveniles and adults in the estuary clearly were separated by size, whereas western river lamprey formed one continuous size distribution. Pacific lamprey juveniles and adults were present in the estuary in winter and spring, and western river lamprey were present from spring through early fall. Depth in the water [...]
Summary
Abstract—Little is known about the
basic biology and ecology of most native
lampreys, including the use of
estuaries by anadromous lampreys.
To address this deficiency, we provide
the first analysis of anadromous
western river (Lampetra ayresii) and
Pacific (Entosphenus tridentatus)
lampreys in the Columbia River estuary,
using data from 2 fish assemblage
studies that span 3 decades
(1980–1981 and 2001–2012). Pacific
lamprey juveniles and adults in the
estuary clearly were separated by
size, whereas western river lamprey
formed one continuous size distribution.
Pacific lamprey juveniles and
adults were present in the estuary
in winter and spring, and western
river lamprey were present from
spring through early fall. Depth
in the water column also differed
by lamprey species and age class.
During 2008–2012, we documented
wounds from lampreys on 8 fish species
caught in the estuary. The most
frequently wounded fishes were
non-native American shad (Alosa
sapidissima), subyearling Chinook
salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha),
shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata),
and Pacific herring (Clupea
pallasii). This basic information on
western river and Pacific lampreys
in the Columbia River estuary adds
to the growing body of regional research
that should aid conservation
efforts for these ancient species.
