CONSERVATION STATUS OF NORTHERN-HEMISPHERE LAMPREYS (PETROMYZONTIDAE)

Among the 34 nominal lamprey species in the Northern Hemisphere, ten a re endangered; nine are vulnerable at least in part of their range, an d one is extinct. The major cause is habitat degradation through pollu tion and stream regulation. Four conservation priorities are recommend ed: 1. The protection of all lamprey species or populations thereof li sted as endangered; 2. where needed, the rehabilitation of the spawnin g streams of non-parasitic species and the removal or circumvention of any barriers preventing access to the spawning sites; 3. the protecti on of permanent freshwater resident populations of anadromous species, specifically of Entosphenus tridentatus, Lampetra ayresi, L.fluviatil is, Lethenteron japonicum and Petromyzon marinus; 4. the study of the conservation status of Asian lampreys.