Northern Brook Lamprey
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Name and Code
Family
Petromyzontidae - lampreys
Species
Ichthyomyzon fossor
Taxonomic Authority
Reighard & Cummins 1916
Common Name(s)
Northern Brook Lamprey
French Name
lamproie du nord
Species Code
012
Family TSN
159697
Parent TSN
159723
Species TSN
159726
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G4 (2012-02-17)
National Rank (NRank)
N3 (2017-08-19)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S3 (2013-02-11)
COSEWIC Status
Special Concern1 (Nov 2020)
SARO Status
Special Concern (2021)
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
(1) Great Lakes-Upper St. Lawrence populations
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native
General Abundance
uncommon
Tolerance
intolerant
Economic Importance
none
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
no data
Slope (b)
no data
Length Basis
n/a
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
riverine
Environment
benthic
Trophic Class
herbivore
Thermal Regime
coolwater
Habitat Preference
adults in clean, clear riffles and runs of small rivers with gravel and sand substrates; ammocoetes occupy quiet water with sand, silt and detritus substrates
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Nonguarders: Brood hiders: Lithophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
riverine
Spawning Season
spring
Spawning Month(s)
May-June
Spawning Temperature (°C)
13-20.5
Fecundity
501-1,979
Nursery Habitat(s)
riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
8.6-16.6 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.001-0.008
Age at Maturity (yrs)
3-7
Maximum Length (cm)
25.4 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
0.01
Lifespan (yrs)
4-8
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
16.4 TL
Record Weight (kg)
none
Ontario Range Map
Northern Brook Lamprey range
Ontario Distribution
Great Lakes tributaries (except Ontario), St. Marys River, Lake Nipissing tributaries, St. Clair River, Thames River, Niagara River, Ottawa River, St. Lawrence River
Photographs
Northern Brook Lamprey photograph
Northern Brook Lamprey photograph
Notes
adults nonparasitic and semelparous; ammocoetes sensitive to low water level and fluctuating water temperature; intolerant of salinity
Information Sources
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