Several lamprey species can be found in BC. These are native fish species, just like our pacific salmon, white sturgeon, various trout species, etc. More commonly seen lamprey species in BC are pacific lamprey, western brook lamprey and Vancouver lamprey. Lamprey are primitive jaw-less fish, much older than some of the more commonly known primitive fish like white sturgeon. Their life history consists of both parasitic and free-swimming phases. Parasitic should not be treated as a bad word. It is a life strategy that has been developed over a long period of time. Parasitic relationship with other species is also a natural selective force that shapes up the host species that you see today. Lamprey are anadromous, they spawn in rivers just like pacific salmonids. They are an inidicator of a stream's health, because they typically spawn in the smallest tributaries available where clean water is required. Urbanization and pollution are their biggest threat. They are more common than most expect in streams. If you see one, observe and appreciate it.
A couple of localized lamprey populations in BC are listed as endangered due to habitat loss, such as
Morrison Creek's western brook lamprey (endangered) due to habitat loss.
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Topic: lamprey (Read 3200 times)