Growth potential and host mortality of the parasitic phase of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in Lake Superior

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 2343-2353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C Jorgensen ◽  
James F Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Sea Lampreys ◽  
Host Mortality

Landlocked Lake Superior sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) cause a significant but uncertain amount of mortality on host species. We used a sea lamprey bioenergetics model to examine the scope of host sizes vulnerable to death as a consequence of sea lamprey feeding and incorporated the bimodal lake-ward migration of parasitic sea lampreys. At their peak feeding rate and maximum size (P = 1.0, proportion of maximum consumption), spring migrants were capable of killing lean lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) hosts ≤ 2.0 kg, which was larger than fall migrants (1.8 kg). Spring migrants feeding on Pacific salmon (coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)) killed hosts ≤ 2.0 kg, but fall migrants killed hosts as large as 2.8 kg. Although there is no direct empirical evidence, bioenergetics modeling suggests that it is plausible that some of the largest sea lampreys in Lake Superior spent more than one summer as parasites. Two-summer parasites readily attained sizes of sea-run adult anadromous sea lampreys and killed hosts from 3 to >5.5 kg in size. The maximum upper limit number of 2-kg hosts killed by two-summer parasites was nearly twice that of one-summer parasites.

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) size trends in a salmonid stocking context in Lake Superior

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 2354-2361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C Jorgensen ◽  
James F Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Model ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Bayesian Model Averaging ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Model Averaging ◽  
Sea Lamprey

Fish community objectives for Lake Superior call for restoration such that it resembles its historical species composition, to the extent possible, yet allow for supplementation of naturalized Pacific salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.). To achieve these goals, managers strive to control the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) to levels that cause insignificant (<5%) mortality to host species. While control efforts have been successful, sea lamprey size has increased during the control period. We analyzed long-term sea lamprey size trends and found a significant increase from 1961 to 2003 (F = 36.76, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.473). A local regression revealed two significant size increase periods. We used Bayesian model averaging to find the relationship between sea lamprey size and the stocking of salmonids (lean lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Pacific salmon). Bayesian model averaging identified 91 models, and several regressors were common features in many of the models. Sea lamprey weight was related to stocked lake trout lagged 3, 9, 11, and 13 years, and stocked Pacific salmon lagged 4 years. If sea lampreys can achieve larger sizes attached to Pacific salmonid hosts, and thus inflict more damage, there may be a trade-off for managers in achieving the fish community objectives for Lake Superior.

Changes in Biological Characteristics of the Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as Related to Lamprey Abundance, Prey Abundance, and Sea Lamprey Control

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1861-1871 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Heinrich ◽  
Jerry G. Weise ◽  
Bernard R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Chemical Control ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Biological Characteristics ◽  
Prey Abundance ◽  
Sea Lampreys

Biological characteristics of adult sea lampreys, Petromyzon marinus, in the Great Lakes changed in response to lamprey and prey abundance and the chemical control program. Sea lampreys collected as early as 1947, through 1978, from southern Lake Superior, northwestern Lake Michigan, the Ocqueoc River and Canadian shore of Lake Huron, and the Humber River of Lake Ontario were analyzed. Generally, abundance of sea lampreys peaked in each lake before the chemical control program began. The annual mean lengths and weights were relatively low when lampreys were abundant and increased as the numbers were reduced by the control efforts. As an indication of the change in sea lamprey weight per unit change in length, annual log10 weight on log10 length equations were solved at the arbitrary length of 410 mm. The values were plotted against years for each lake and interpreted with respect to chemical treatment periods. All slopes were negative before the control period and positive thereafter. Sea lamprey lengths and weights were low when fish stocks in the Great Lakes were near depletion. As salmonids again became abundant through stocking, lampreys grew larger. In Lake Superior, where detailed records on lake trout abundance have been available since 1959, a significant relation exists between the changes in the sea lamprey estimated weight values at 410 mm and in lake trout abundance (P < 0.01). Male sea lampreys were the dominant sex when populations of the parasite were high. A shift to a preponderance of females occurred as lamprey abundance declined.Key words: Petromyzon marinus, Salvelinus namaycush, abundance, sex ratio, weight–length relationship, chemical control

Evaluating the growth potential of sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) feeding on siscowet lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Lake Superior

2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric K. Moody ◽  
Brian C. Weidel ◽  
Tyler D. Ahrenstorff ◽  
William P. Mattes ◽  
James F. Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Sea Lampreys

Classification of Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Attack Marks on Great Lakes Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1989-2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everett Louis King Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Oral Disc ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Sea Lampreys

Criteria for the classification of marks inflicted by sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) into nine categories were developed from laboratory studies in an attempt to refine the classification system used in field assessment work. These criteria were based on characteristics of the attachment site that could be identified under field conditions by unaided visual means and by touching the attachment site. Healing of these marks was somewhat variable and was influenced by the size of lamprey, duration of attachment, severity of the wound at lamprey detachment, season and water temperature, and by other less obvious factors. Even under laboratory conditions staging of some wounds was difficult, especially at low water temperatures. If these criteria are to be used effectively and with precision in the field, close examination of individual fish may be required. If the feeding and density of specific year-classes of sea lampreys are to be accurately assessed on an annual basis, close attention to the wound size (as it reflects the size of the lamprey's oral disc) and character of wounds on fish will be required as well as consideration of the season of the year in which they are observed.Key words: sea lamprey, attack marks, lake trout, Great Lakes

Seasonal growth and duration of the parasitic life stage of the landlocked sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1257-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger A. Bergstedt ◽  
William D. Swink
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Sea Lampreys ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
Host Mortality

We used lengths and weights of 2367 live parasitic-phase sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) collected from Lake Huron, 1984–1990, to calculate their mean size at half-month intervals. Growth in weight was linear during June through September; increments averaged 11.1 g per half month. Growth increased sharply in October to several times the summer rate. We speculate that the increase in growth in October is explained partly by water temperature and partly by an increase in appetite related to the onset of gonadal development. The greater compression of biomass accumulation in autumn than has been previously demonstrated better explains the autumn pulse of sea lamprey induced host mortality. Based on the seasonal pattern of growth and on recaptures of marked sea lampreys, we conclude that landlocked individuals grow to adult size and mature in one parasitic growth year. Regressions of weight (grams) on total length (millimetres) differed significantly among months, and the season of collection must be considered in predicting weight from length.

On Evaluating Measures to Rehabilitate Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) of Lake Superior

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2057-2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Lawrie ◽  
W. MacCallum
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Hatchery Fish ◽  
Natural Recruitment

The Lake Superior lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) population is being rebuilt following its collapse in the early 1950s. Estimates are presented of the contributions to this recovery provided directly by the artificial recruitment of hatchery fish, a demonstrable amelioration in mortality rates and a resurgence, lately, of natural recruitment. Of the increased lake trout abundance, 55% on the average was owing to trebling the planting density, 40% to improved survival, and 5% to increasing recruitment of native lake trout. The precise contribution of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control program could not be defined for lack of sufficient early data.Key words: lake trout, sea lamprey, rehabilitation, natural recruitment, hatchery stocking

Changes in Mortality of Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Michigan Waters of Lake Superior in Relation to Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Predation, 1968–78

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2063-2073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Pycha
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Instantaneous Rate ◽  
Unit Effort

Total mortality rates of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) of age VII and older from eastern Lake Superior were estimated from catch curves of age distributions each year in 1968–78. The instantaneous rate of total mortality Z varied from 0.62 to 2.31 in close synchrony with sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) wounding rates on lake trout. The regression of transformed Z on the index of lamprey wounding, accounted for over 89% of the variation in lake trout mortality (r2 = 0.893). An iterative method of estimating rates of exploitation u, instantaneous rates of fishing mortality F, K (a constant relating sample catch per unit effort to population size), instantaneous normal natural mortality rate M, and instantaneous rate of mortality due to sea lamprey predation L from the sample catch per unit effort and total catch by the fishery is presented. A second method using the results of a 1970–71 tagging study to estimate the mean F in 1970–77 yielded closely similar results to the above and is presented as corroboration. The estimates of u, F, and M appear to be reasonable. F ranged from 0.17 in 1974 to 0.42 in 1969 and M was estimated at 0.26. L varied from 0.21 in 1974 to 1.70 in 1968. Management implications of various policies concerning sea lamprey control, exploitation, and stocking are discussed.Key words: lake trout, sea lamprey, lamprey control, mortality, predation, Lake Superior, fishery, management

Lake Superior Revisited 1984

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (S2) ◽  
pp. s23-s36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne R. MacCallum ◽  
James H. Selgeby
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Coregonus Artedii ◽  
Historical Levels

The Lake Superior fish community has changed substantially since the early 1960s, when control of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) became effective. Self-reproducing stocks of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) have been reestablished in many inshore areas, although they have not yet reached pre-sea lamprey abundance; offshore lake trout are probably at or near pre-sea lamprey abundance. Stocks of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) appear to have fully recovered; commercial catches are at or above historical levels. Lake herring (Coregonus artedii) are recovering rapidly in U.S. waters and are abundant in western Canadian waters. The population of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), which declined in the 1970s, is recovering. Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus) are becoming more abundant as a result of increased stocking in U.S. waters and are reproducing in most suitable tributaries; they have become significant in anglers' creels.

Decline and Recovery of the Lake Superior Gull Island Reef Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Population and the Role of Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Predation

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2074-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce L. Swanson ◽  
Donald V. Swedberg
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Egg Deposition

The Gull Island Reef lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) population was one of the few in Lake Superior that was not annihilated by the combined effects of excessive fishing and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) predation. Following control of the lamprey in the early 1960s, this population of lake trout began a slow but steady increase in the average age and numbers of lake trout. Total annual mortality rates for spawning lake trout were 32% for age VI fish, 48% for ages VII–VIII, and 75% for ages IX and older. These total mortality rates included a 7.3% exploitation rate u, a 20% natural mortality n, and annual lamprey-induced mortalities of 6% for ages V–VI, 24%, for ages VII–VIII, and 56% for ages IX and older fish. The estimated number of lake trout eggs deposited annually on Gull Island Reef from 1964 to 1979 ranged from 3.3 million eggs in 1965 to 28 million eggs in 1979, with a mean of 9 million eggs per year. At present levels of lamprey predation, the estimated egg to spawning fish return rate on Gull Island Reef is 0.18%.Key words: lake trout, sea lamprey, survival, population structure, egg deposition

Effects of Temperature on Metamorphosis and the Age and Length at Metamorphosis in Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in the Great Lakes

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1827-1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Purvis
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Sea Lampreys ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Slow Growing ◽  
Intermediate Rate

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) ammocoetes of known age were confined in three locations to determine the effects of temperature on the incidence of metamorphosis. Sixty ammocoetes were held in each of Lake Superior, the Big Garlic River, and in an aquarium at room temperature for each of 4 yr. The highest incidence of metamorphosis (75–100%) occurred at 20–21 °C (aquarium), an intermediate rate (46–76%) at 14–16 °C (Big Garlic River), and the lowest (5–10%) at 7–11 °C (Lake Superior). Density appeared to be the dominant factor in regulating the length of larval and transformed sea lampreys. Mean lengths of larval and transformed sea lampreys increased markedly after stream treatments with selective lampricides. Prediction of lengths at which metamorphosis occurs in re-established populations of sea lampreys is uncertain because of variability in growth rates. Initial metamorphosis in a year-class is dependent on growth rates of ammocoetes. Because of wide variation in growth rates, metamorphosis may begin at age III among fast-growing populations and not until age VII among slow-growing populations.Key words: Petromyzon marinus, sea lamprey; metamorphosis, age, length, Great Lakes

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