Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene of lamprey classified with Lethenteron camtschaticum and the Lethenteron reissneri complex show no species-level differences

Abstract

Life history strategy has traditionally played an important role in the taxonomy of lampreys. In some cases, this was the basis for distinguishing socalled satellite species groups (1). Lamprey larvae within a satellite species group are morphologically identical; however, adult lampreys differ from one another in a number of species (primarily, the body length). It is believed that lampreys of some species migrate to large bodies of water (rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans) after metamorphosis, become parasites of bony fishes and begin to reproduce within 0.5-3 years, whereas lam� preys of other species remain in their native river, become mature within 6-10 months, and then die (1- 4). As a rule, a satellite species group comprises one parasitic anadromous species and several satellite resident species (nonparasitic or parasitic), which are assumed to have sympatrically originated from the first species (1, 4).