TY - JOUR
T1 - An examination of Petromyzontidae in Pennsylvania
T2 - Current distribution and habitat preference of lampreys
AU - Li, Shan
AU - Werner, Karl M.
AU - Stauffer, Jr., Jay Richard
PY - 2014/12/1
Y1 - 2014/12/1
N2 - Native populations of lampreys are declining throughout the Great Lakes drainage basin due to habitat loss and degradation, anthropogenic stresses, and stream treatment with lampricides to control the exotic Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey). We surveyed 19 streams across Pennsylvania to determine the presence/absence of six species that were historically found there. In 2011, we found four species-Lamptera aepyptera (Least Brook Lamprey), Lethenteron appendix (American Brook Lamprey), Ichthyomyzon greeleyi (Mountain Brook Lamprey), and Sea Lamprey-in 14 creeks statewide. In 2012, we found three species-Least Brook Lamprey, American Brook Lamprey, and Mountain Brook Lamprey-in 8 creeks in the Allegheny watershed. Lampreys appeared to be extirpated at some sites. Historically, Ichthyomyzon bdellium (Ohio Lamprey) and Ichthyomyzon fossor (Northern Brook Lamprey) were reported, but we did not observe these species during our study. Substrate analysis indicated ammocoetes preferred substrates with a particle diameter of <0.3 mm in shallow, warm water. In tributaries of Lake Erie, lampricide treatment to control Sea Lamprey may be a major reason for the population decline of native lamprey species.
AB - Native populations of lampreys are declining throughout the Great Lakes drainage basin due to habitat loss and degradation, anthropogenic stresses, and stream treatment with lampricides to control the exotic Petromyzon marinus (Sea Lamprey). We surveyed 19 streams across Pennsylvania to determine the presence/absence of six species that were historically found there. In 2011, we found four species-Lamptera aepyptera (Least Brook Lamprey), Lethenteron appendix (American Brook Lamprey), Ichthyomyzon greeleyi (Mountain Brook Lamprey), and Sea Lamprey-in 14 creeks statewide. In 2012, we found three species-Least Brook Lamprey, American Brook Lamprey, and Mountain Brook Lamprey-in 8 creeks in the Allegheny watershed. Lampreys appeared to be extirpated at some sites. Historically, Ichthyomyzon bdellium (Ohio Lamprey) and Ichthyomyzon fossor (Northern Brook Lamprey) were reported, but we did not observe these species during our study. Substrate analysis indicated ammocoetes preferred substrates with a particle diameter of <0.3 mm in shallow, warm water. In tributaries of Lake Erie, lampricide treatment to control Sea Lamprey may be a major reason for the population decline of native lamprey species.
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U2 - 10.1656/045.021.0408
DO - 10.1656/045.021.0408
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84918528780
VL - 21
SP - 606
EP - 618
JO - Northeastern Naturalist
JF - Northeastern Naturalist
SN - 1092-6194
IS - 4
ER -