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Lamprey Biology
Globally there are about 25 species of lamprey of which three species are found in Ireland. These animals are found in both marine and freshwater habitats.
They belong to the order Cyclostomata, or jawless fishes, and are amongst the most primitive living chordates. They have also existed longer than most living higher animals, having been recorded in fossils dating back 300 million years. However, they are now considered endangered species in Europe. Lampreys are often described as being eel-like but are a distinct species.While sharing some of the form of eels they lack bony structures, breathe through a series of gill openings and have a primitive mouth, lined with rasping teeth, which is used as a sucker. All lamprey species spawn in freshwater, usually in rivers.
Spawning occurs over clean gravel during the spring and summer. After hatching the young migrate to nearby soft sediment. These young lampreys, or ammocoetes, live in soft sediment for a number of years before reaching maturity. Unlike the adults, young lampreys move through the mud feeding on small pieces of organic matter. When these ammocoetes mature they develop eyes, become silver and swim freely through the river. Most lamprey species are parasitic as adults on other fish or marine mammals; however, they pose no threat to humans.
For a scientific review of lampreys in Ireland see:
Kelly & King (2001)[.pdf file, 256KB].
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lamprey (Lampetra planeri)
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