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Ecology and biology of landlocked sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) within Michigan's inland waterway

Project Abstract: 
A small population of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) spend their entirety of their life cycle within Burt and Mullet Lakes, failing to return to Lake Huron. This study aims to assess the feeding ecology and embryo viability of sea lamprey, while conducting various analyses to distinguish lamprey which feed in Lake Huron from landlocked sea lamprey.
Investigator(s): 
Years Active: 
2015
Methods: 
Feeding ecology will be assessed through creel surveys on Burt and Mullet Lakes, quantifying lamprey host selection via wounding reported by fishers. Fatty acid analyses will also be conducted on previously obtained lamprey to determine their feeding habits. Sea lamprey embryo viability will be determined through spawning nest surveys within the Maple, Pigeon and Sturgeon Rivers. Finally, morphometric measurements and analyses of stable isotopes, statolith microchemistry, and fatty acids will be utilized to distinguish landlocked sea lamprey from those which feed in Lake Huron.