Pacific Lampreys. Watch the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkwfDVAoSXk)
ID: 208508 • Letter: P
Question
Pacific Lampreys. Watch the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkwfDVAoSXk) on Pacific Lampreys (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2012). Please address the following three questions: (a) where do Pacific lampreys fall in the taxonomy of vertebrates? (b) what challenges do Pacific lamprey populations face? (c) why are Native American tribes of the Northwest concerned about them? (Please note: take care not to confuse the Pacific lamprey (described in the video) with the Sea Lamprey, which is a completely different species that is considered an invasive species in the Great Lakes).
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (2012). Taking the initiative to conserve Pacific Lamprey. [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkwfDVAoSXk
Explanation / Answer
Pacific Lampreys belong to Petromyzontidae family and are placed in genus Entosphenus. They are also called three tooth-lamprey and are identified with the species name as Entosphenus tridentatus.
Pacific Lamprey's population has been consistantly declining for decades due to loss of their natural habitat. The natural habitats of Pacific Lamprey are being lost due to increase in human settlements. Water channels and streams which were once home to Pacific Lampreys are now been diverted for irrigation and human activities.
Pacific Lampreys have been an important ceremonial food for Native American tribes of the Northwest. Since the construction of Columbian River Hydro power system most of the water has been diverted towards higher water velocity channels, which are not the condusive habitats for Pacific Lampreys. This construction of hydropower system and other human activities have drastically limited the harvesting opportunity of Pacific Lampreys for the tribes.
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