Lamprey

The discovery of two potential new lamprey species in California by UC Davis researchers highlights significant biodiversity and ecological importance, urging further exploration into these ancient, jawless fish. Above is a picture of a Pacific lamprey resting in a river. Credit: Jeremy Monroe, Fresh Waters IllustratedThese jawless fish play a crucial role in the ecosystem.A study from the University of California, Davis, has identified two potential new species of lamprey fish in the waters of California. The research is…

Michigan State University has several labs dedicated to the study and control of lampreys, which make for idiosyncratic subjects. Lamprey skeletons are constructed of cartilage rather than bone, and they can regenerate fully functional spinal cords even after they’ve been sliced in half. They possess an incredible olfactory power, capable of detecting scents at extremely low concentrations—the equivalent of being able to locate a few grains of salt in an Olympic-size swimming pool, according to Anne Scott, an MSU…