Conservation of native lampreys

Abstract

Forty-four species of lampreys (Petromyzontidae) are currently recognized: (a) nine species are anadromous and parasitic (i.e., feeding on actinopterygian fishes after metamorphosis); (b) nine species are freshwater resident and parasitic; and (c) 26 species are freshwater resident and non-parasitic (i.e., do not feed at all following metamorphosis). To date, the conservation status of 33 of these species (75 %) has been assessed at a global scale. Of those assessed, at least 12 are deemed at risk. Lampreys are at risk from a number of anthropogenic pressures, most notably pollution, habitat destruction (e.g., dredging of depositional habitats essential to larval lampreys), engineering works (particularly dams that act as barriers to migration and alter natural stream flow regimes), overharvest, and changes to their prey base. Legislation has been brought forward in recent years, most notably in North America and Europe, to give some protection to lampreys and their habitat. At least 16 species now receive legal protection in at least a portion of their range at the national (or European Union) level; others are protected by laws at the subnational level. A number of projects across the world are focusing on the protection and conservation of some populations of lampreys (particularly those harvested by humans); examples of these are described. Taxonomic uncertainty remains an impediment to the conservation of some lampreys, however, and there is also a need to explain and resolve disagreements between the global (IUCN) and national lists; better coordination and consultation should be developed to prevent confusion.