PACIFIC LAMPREY RESEARCH AND RESTORATION PROJECT ANNUAL REPORT 1999
Citation
Close, David, Aaron Jackson, James Bronson, Martin Fitzpatrick, Grant Feist, Beth
Siddens, Hiram Li, Carl Schreck, Christopher Lorion, Madison Powell, Joyce Faler,
Jennifer Bayer, James Seelye, Douglas Hatch, Andre Talbot, Rian Hooff, Chris Beasley,
John Netto, ''Pacific Lamprey Research and Restoration Project'', Project No. 1994-
02600, 196 electronic pages, (BPA Report DOE/BP-00005455-1)
Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report summarizes results of research activities conducted from 1996 through 1999. The findings in these chapters represent the efforts of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and collaborative efforts among other researchers working on Pacific lampreys (Lampetra tridentata) under this project. The findings in these chapters will help management and recovery of Pacific lampreys in the Columbia River Basin. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of Pacific lampreys from tribal members within the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation was useful in gaining baseline life history information. Tribal members described harvesting two types of lampreys from spring through [...]
Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report summarizes results of research activities conducted from 1996 through
1999. The findings in these chapters represent the efforts of the Confederated Tribes of the
Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and collaborative efforts among other researchers
working on Pacific lampreys (Lampetra tridentata) under this project. The findings in these
chapters will help management and recovery of Pacific lampreys in the Columbia River Basin.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of Pacific lampreys from tribal members
within the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation was useful in gaining
baseline life history information. Tribal members described harvesting two types of
lampreys from spring through fall, the short brown type and the long dark type. Lamprey
spawning distribution was from the mouth to the headwaters in the Umatilla River. Larval
lampreys were observed in the mud and sand areas of the river. Tribal members observed
major declines in lampreys within the Columbia River basin.
Larval Pacific lampreys were distributed throughout the John Day River basin.
Larval distribution in the other subbasins was patchy and limited to the lower reaches of the
streams. Larval densities were highly variable in the Middle Fork John Day and North Fork
John Day rivers, as opposed to the Main stem John Day River. Larval lengths varied little in
the Middle Fork John Day and North Fork John Day rivers, but were highly variable in the
Main stem John Day River. Larval abundance decreased as we moved upstream in the
Columbia and Snake rivers. In addition, we found strong evidence for lack of larval
recruitment as distance increased from the mouth of the Columbia River.
We identified clinical indicators of stress in adult Pacific lampreys. Plasma glucose
became elevated soon after acute stress and remained elevated for one week. Plasma lactate
also became elevated by 30 minutes; however, it decreased to resting levels by one hour after
application of the stressor. Muscle lactate was shown to have an inverse relationship with
glucose. Muscle lactate levels decreased by 4 hours and remained depressed for two days.
Plasma chloride ions decreased by one hour, then returned to resting levels by 8 hours,
decreased again at 24 hours, and then recovered by 48 hours. The steroid cortisol was not
found in the plasma of Pacific lampreys. Our study suggests plasma glucose, lactate,
chloride ions, and muscle lactate can be used as clinical indicators of stress in Pacific
lampreys.
The swimming performance and physiological effects of surgical implantation of
dummy radio transmitters into the peritoneal cavities of Pacific lampreys were assessed.
Intraperitoneal implantation of 3.4 g transmitters had no significant effect on circulating
levels of glucose (an indicator of stress) 4 months after surgery, while 10 gram transmitters
caused a significant increase in plasma glucose. Lampreys implanted with 7.4-g transmitters
recovered from surgery by day 4 based on levels of plasma glucose. Lampreys implanted
intraperitoneally with 7.4-g dummy transmitters showed no significant difference in
circulating glucose 30, 60, 90 and 180 days after surgery in comparison to sham-implanted
controls. Ventilation rate decreased significantly by 30 minutes after surgery and was stable
by 60 minutes; suggesting initial recovery from surgery is rapid. Swimming performance
v
was impaired immediately after surgery; however, swimming was not compromised at 1 and
7 days after surgery. Tagged fish showed a significant difference in oxygen consumption in
fish tested immediately after surgery; however, oxygen consumption was at control levels at
1 and 7 days after surgery.
Genetic stock structure of Pacific lampreys in the Columbia River Basin was studied
using 615 samples of juveniles and adults. Samples from 18 locations in the Pacific
Northwest were analyzed. Pacific lampreys lack strong genetic stock structure, however,
additional work could be useful to identify donor stocks for potential transfers and
reintroduction.
Evaluations of culture techniques for Pacific lampreys were conducted. We found
fecundity in Pacific lampreys ranging from 54,279 to 132,788. Average size of lamprey eggs
was 1.7 mm (SD = 0.1, N = 61). Fertilization success from our manual spawning of lamprey
ranged from 65 to 98%. In addition, hatching success of lamprey eggs was from 85 to 90%.
In-season homing was studied using displacement of radio-tagged Pacific lampreys in
the lower Columbia River. We collected 25 migrating Pacific lampreys at Bonneville Dam
on the Columbia River and an additional 25 at Willamette Falls on the Willamette River.
Radio tags were surgically implanted in these 50 fish and then the lampreys were released
throughout the migration season in the Columbia River approximately 25 km downstream of
the confluence of the Willamette River. Radio tagged Pacific lampreys exhibited
nonsignificant homing fidelity (p=0.622) based on the null expectation that one half of the
total recoveries would home and the other half would stray. Final location classifications
were 17 homed, 20 strayed, and 13 were undetermined. Final location classifications were
not influenced by fish length (p = 0.594). Based on our telemetry observations, adult
lampreys do not exhibit a photophobic response. The Pacific lamprey is capable of traveling
at velocities near 2.5 km/hour and sustaining that activity for at least 24 hours. In addition,
natal homing was investigated using mtDNA analysis of tissue samples from Pacific
lampreys returning to the Willamette River compared to fish returning to the Columbia
River. Tissue samples were collected from the same fish that were radio tagged along with
additional individuals crossing Willamette Falls and Bonneville Dam. A total of 102 samples
were analyzed. Polymorphism was observed in the Cytochrome b region and was designated
Lt-A and Lt-B. Relative frequencies for Lt-A and Lt-B were 0.714 and 0.286 for Bonneville
Dam samples and 0.766 and 0.234 for Willamette Falls samples.
Since the initiation of the CTUIR’s lamprey research and restoration project, a
Columbia Basin Pacific lamprey technical work group has been formed to discuss current
issues and findings, coordinate ongoing project efforts, and define future project needs as
requested by the NPPC. State, federal, university, and tribal entities have met to discuss all
ongoing and proposed Pacific lamprey research and restoration efforts and identified what
are believed to be priority needs.
