1. 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,
20121. Washington Department of Ecology2. Washington Department of Ecology3. 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
NumberofLamprey
NumberofLamprey
NumberofLamprey
NumberofLamprey
Figure 8
0
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus
mean+se
mean
mean-se
0
1
1
2
2
3
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 24. 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
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
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9
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yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus
q1
min
median
max
q3
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yeast plankton control spirulina hatchfry salmon detritus
q1
min
median
max
q3