lamprey nyfedt

Analysis of Behavior and Diet in Pacific Lamprey Larva

Yakama Nation Fisheries, Toppenish WA 98948

Mario S. Farias, Ralph Lampman, and Bob Rose

Introduction Results

Call of Concern

Discussion

Image sources:

1. Washington Department of Ecology, Retrieved from;

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/02/environmental_group_says_mile-.html on September 08, 2012

2. Washington Department of Ecology, Retrieved from;

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/ColumbiaRvr/ColumbiaTDG.html on September 08, 2012

3. Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian, Retrieved from

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2010/04/columbia_river_dredging_ends_t.html on September 08, 2012

4. Public Domain Image, Retrieved from http://www.public-domain-image.com/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-

pictures/fishes-public-domain-images-pictures/lamprey-fishes-pictures/adult-pacific-lamprey.jpg.html on September 08,

2012 1. Washington Department of Ecology 2. Washington Department of Ecology 3. Brent Wojahn/The Oregonian

Special thanks to Nina Barcenas, Yakima

Nation Fisheries, and NSF-REU

Heritage University 2012 for making this

summer research experience possible.

Cited Works:

Future Directions: Future research may include growth trials in order to affirm detritus as a

reliable food source as well as examining lamprey outside of feeding

substrates for particle ingestion. Continued lamprey research may help

ongoing restoration projects to grow and rear pacific lamprey and help restore Native American traditions and fishing opportunities.

Acknowledgements:

Contact Information: Mario S. Farias: fariasm1@heritage.edu Ralph Lampman: lamr@yakamafish-nsn.gov Bob Rose: rosb@yakamafish-nsn.gov

Close, D., Fitzpatrick, M., & Li, H. (2002). The Ecological and Cultural Importance of a Species at Risk of Extinction,

Pacific Lamprey. Fisheries Management, 1(July 2002), 19-25. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from

Moser, M., & Close, D. (2003). Assessing Pacific Lamprey Status in the Columbia River Basin. Northwest Science, 77(2),

116-124.

Schwab, I.R, & Collin, S.P, (2005). Are you calling me primitive?. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 89(2), 1553. Species Fact Sheet Pacific lamprey Lampetra tridentate. (n.d.). www.fws.gov. Retrieved August 7, 2012, from

http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/species/Fact%20sheets/Pacific_lamprey_final.pdf

Figure 3

Figure 10

• Pacific lamprey numbers have rapidly declined in the past decades due to

Human Disturbances (figure 3) (Species Fact Sheet Pacific lamprey

Lampetra tridentate, n.d; Close, D., et al.,2002).

• Early life history of Pacific lamprey larvae (figure 2) is not well know which

can inhibit progression of restoration projects.

• Lamprey currently face many unfavorable circumstances including

oceanic conditions, decline of prey, and predation by nonnative species

(Luke, P., 2009).

• This has had negative impacts on the customs and traditions of many

Native Americans causing a loss of culture and fishing opportunities

(Close, D., et al., 2002; Luke, P., 2010)

• Feeding trials were conducted using 10-gallon tanks (20 x 11 x 12 inches)

(Figure 6) and 83-gallon trough tanks (200 x 16 x 6 inches) (figure 7) with

six compartments (32 inches each).

• In each tank six different varieties of feed including detritus, algae

(spirulina), plankton, dry yeast, salmon carcass, and hatch fry (figure 10)

were tested using food diffusing substrates.

• Food substrates (composed of a perti-dish, sand , and feed) were spread

an equal distances from one another.

• 100 ammocoetes were initially dispersed in each through and 50 in each

10 gallon tank spread evenly throughout each tank or compartment and

left alone for a 24-hour feeding period.

Methodology

Larval Pacific Lamprey showed little to no feeding preference amongst the large

trough tanks and showed very little variability among substrates. Over all more

ammocetes were found in the control substrates and those containing detritus with a

greater numbers favoring the detritus substrates (figure 4). Results varied between

tanks and troughs with tanks showing greater amounts of activity. Troughs showed

higher levels of variation among most feeds in comparison to tanks (figure 5) .

Substrates containing detritus and control were found to contain higher quantities of

larval lamprey.

Figure 6 Figure 7

• As a whole, trials tend to show

greater favor toward detritus

(figure 8).This may imply that

detritus is a favorable source

of food for larval lamprey.

• Suspended particles may

have played a role in the

feeding trials as ammocoetes

are filter feeders. This may imply

that larvae in sand near food diffusing substrates may have been

feeding without entering the substrates.

• Tank size was seen to affect the results as the smaller fish tanks

showed significantly greater numbers of larval lamprey found in

substrates over the tough tanks (220 in2 versus 533 in2).

• Lampreys day and night cycle may have influenced the results. For

the duration of the experiment lights remained on in the room with the

trough tanks while the ten gallon tanks in another room received a

day and a night cycle.

• Time is another factor which also may have played a role in the

feeding trials as larvae were given only a short 24 hour period in

which to burrow.

• Flow rate varied between tanks and trough tanks which may have

also varied results.

0.40% 0.33%

1.73%

0.53%

0.27%

0.93%

3.27%

0.00%

0.50%

1.00%

1.50%

2.00%

2.50%

3.00%

3.50%

Yeast Plankton Control Spirulina Hatch Fry Salmon Detritus

Total Percent Found in Substrate

Yeast

Plankton

Control

Spirulina

Hatch Fry

Salmon

Detritus

Nu

mb

er o

f La

mp

rey

Nu

mb

er o

f La

mp

rey

Nu

mb

er o

f La

mp

rey

Nu

mb

er o

f La

mp

rey

Figure 8

0

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3

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yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus

mean+se

mean

mean-se

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yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus

mean+se

mean

mean-se

Figure 5 Standard Error

Figure 4 Number of Ammocoetes Found in Substrates

Tank Trough

Pacific lampreys are prehistoric anadromous fish which reside in both fresh and salt water habitats. Although this ancient fish has an important cultural role for many of the native tribes in the Western United States, much basic information regarding their life history

still remains unknown. In this experiment we attempted to determine the feeding habits of larval Pacific lamprey (primarily 0+ age class) through a series of feeding trials using 5 different varieties of feed including detritus, algae (spirulina), plankton, dry yeast, and

salmon carcass. Feeding trials were conducted using large 10-gallon tanks (20 x 11 x 12 inches) and 83-gallon trough tanks (200 x 16 x 6 inches) with six compartments. Food substrates were spread an equal distance from one another and placed at the bottom of

each tank or compartment. 100 ammocoetes were initially dispersed evenly throughout each various tanks/compartment and left for a 24-hour feeding period to determine their behavioral preference towards the various feeds. Information obtained from these feeding

trials will help us understand the biological requirements of the newly hatched larvae and will provide crucial information for many of the ongoing lamprey restoration projects, including artificial rearing and translocation of Pacific lamprey.

Heritage University Toppenish WA 98948

Figure 1 Figure 2 4. Public Domain Image

Pacific lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus) (figure 1) are a prehistoric

species going back 450 million years ago (Schwab, I.R, & Collin, S.P.,

2005 )In the ecosystems in which they are found, they play a major

role in facilitating the decomposition and the retention of biomass

allowing for organic materials to circulate and be used throughout the

ecosystem (Close, D., et al., 2002). In this experiment feeding trials

are carried out in an attempt to understand larval feeding habits.

Abstract

Figure 3

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yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus

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yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus

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