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Pit-Klamath Brook Lamprey, Lampetra lethophaga
		Photo of adult (top) & ammocoete (bottom) Pit-Klamath brook lamprey, taken by Michael P. Heck, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Location: Dry Creek, Lake County, Oregon. Date: 9/18/2007. Photo of Pit-Klamath brook lamprey ammocoete. Date: 7/10/2007. Photo of head of Pit-Klamath brook lamprey ammocoete. Date: 7/10/2007.
		Appearance and Identification: · Small lamprey, < 21cm TL · Body segments (myomeres): 60-70 · Adults: dark gray back, brass to bronze underside · Spawners: contrasting ventral/dorsal surfaces, 1 thick and frilled dorsal fin, enlarged anal fin · Oral disc < 5% of TL o Supraoral plate: 3 cusps, middle one may be missing o Lateral circumoral plates cusps 1-2-2-1 or 2-3-3-2 o Posterior circumoral plates: 9-15, often 1 cusp o Cusps frequently missing from plates o Infraoral teeth: usually 5
Life History:
		The Pit-Klamath brook lamprey is a non-predatory lamprey that is closely related to the predatory Pacific lamprey, and often shares habitat with trout, marbled and rough sculpins, and speckled dace. Pit-Klamath brook lampreys are found within the Pit River drainage and the upper Klamath River upstream of the Klamath lakes. They are typically found in cool, clear, low gradient streams with sandy or muddy edges and bottoms. The larval lampreys or ammocoetes burrow tail first into the soft substrate where they feed on algae and detritus. The ammocoetes often burrow into areas covered by aquatic vegetation. After at least 4 years the ammocoetes metamorphose into the adult lamprey form, probably in the autumn. Spawning begins in the spring and may continue into the summer.
Links to Other Research
	Here's a list of California watersheds where Pit-Klamath Brook Lamprey may be found. © 2003 - Regents of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication Services E-Mail Web Master ANR Non-Discrimination Statement