Review on parasitic and non-parasitic forms of the arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum (Petromyzontiformes, Petromyzontidae) in the Eurasian arctic

Abstract

Arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum is an important and poorly studied component of the aquatic ecosystems in the Northern part of Eurasia. In this region, the species has two life history forms: anadromous and resident, which are very closely related genetically. In this review data on morphology, distribution, ecology, abundance, economic value and preservation of these two forms from the basins of the Barents, White, Kara, Laptev, East Siberian, Chukchi and Bering Seas are presented (over 70 rivers in 9 Russian watershed districts). For the first time, rigorous amounts of previously published and authors’ own experimental data, observations and Russian historical documents, normally unobtainable for English speaking researchers, have been comprehensively analyzed. The review leads to the understanding of the forms belonging to the same species.