Greek brook lamprey (Caspiomyzon hellenicus)

Scientific name: Caspiomyzon hellenicus Vladykov, Renaud, Kott & Economidis, 1982

Greek brook lamprey (Caspiomyzon hellenicus)

The Greek brook lamprey (Caspiomyzon hellenicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Petromyzontidae. Native range: Europe, Endemic to Greece. Known from three creeks in the Struma drainage.

Biology

A short-lived, freshwater non-parasitic lamprey which lives in shallow, clear, fairly fast-flowing brooks with gravelly substrate, some rocks and aquatic plants. Ammocoetes larvae live in detritus-rich sands and clay sediments. They are filter feeders on microorganisms, including green algae. Metamorphosis takes place in December. Reproduction takes place in January and May. Its existence is threatened by pollution and water obstruction. Maximal size up to 15.2 cm TL

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Caspiomyzon hellenicus
Family
Petromyzontidae (Lampreys)
Order
Petromyzontiformes (Lampreys)
Class
Cephalaspidomorphi (Lampreys)
Maximum length
15.8
Depth range
0–1 m (0–3 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous; depth range 0 - 1 m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Europe: Endemic to Greece. Known from three creeks in the Struma drainage.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered (CR)(B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated