Kern brook lamprey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kern brook lamprey |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Kern brook lamprey (Lampetra hubbsi) is a special type of lamprey that lives only in the United States. It's found in rivers on the east side of California's San Joaquin Valley, like the Merced, Kaweah, Kings, and San Joaquin rivers. This unique fish can grow up to about 14 centimeters long. You can spot it by its grayish-brown and white colors, and the small black spots on its fins.
Contents
What is the Kern Brook Lamprey?
The Kern brook lamprey, or L. hubbsi, has a thin body that looks a bit like an eel. Like other lampreys, it doesn't have jaws or paired fins. Instead, it has a round, sucking mouth. Scientists look at tiny details to tell it apart from other lamprey species. These details include the number and shape of small bumps (called cusps) on its mouth parts. They also count certain muscle segments called myomeres.
How Scientists Classify Lampreys
Classifying lampreys can be tricky for scientists. This is because many lamprey species look very similar. For a long time, the Kern brook lamprey was placed in a group called Entosphenus. This group was thought to be very different from other lampreys in the main Lampetra family.
However, new studies using DNA (molecular evidence) changed this idea. These studies showed that the Kern brook lamprey's DNA was actually more like other Lampetra species found on the west coast of North America. Because of this, scientists moved it into the Lampetra family, and now it's known as Lampetra hubbsi.
Reproduction and Eggs
The Kern brook lamprey lays many eggs, which is called having high fecundity. Scientists compared it to another lamprey species, the Macedonia brook lamprey (Eudontomyzon hellenicus). The Macedonia brook lamprey is in danger of disappearing.
Studies showed that the Kern brook lamprey lays twice as many eggs as the Macedonia brook lamprey. Scientists found this out by carefully counting all the eggs laid by each fish. This high number of eggs is important for the Kern brook lamprey's survival.
Threats to the Kern Brook Lamprey
The Kern brook lamprey faces several dangers that threaten its survival. One major problem is the loss of its natural home. Dams, changes to river channels, and water diversions for farms or cities hurt its habitat. These changes can also split up lamprey groups, making it harder for them to find mates.
The lamprey's living area is also very small. Other threats include poisons used in fishing and the negative effects of fish that are not native to the area. These non-native fish can compete for food or even eat the lampreys. Protecting their rivers is key to helping these unique creatures survive.
