The northern lampreys (Petromyzontidae) are a family of
lamprey
Lampreys (sometimes inaccurately called lamprey eels) are an ancient extant lineage of jawless fish of the order Petromyzontiformes , placed in the superclass Cyclostomata. The adult lamprey may be characterized by a toothed, funnel-like s ...
s.
Northern lampreys have the highest number of
chromosome
A chromosome is a long DNA molecule with part or all of the genetic material of an organism. In most chromosomes the very long thin DNA fibers are coated with packaging proteins; in eukaryotic cells the most important of these proteins ar ...
s (164–174) among vertebrates.
Genera
* ''
Caspiomyzon''
* ''
Entosphenus''
* ''
Eudontomyzon
''Eudontomyzon'' is a genus of lamprey in the family Petromyzontidae. Most species are found in Eastern Europe.
Species
There are currently seven recognized species in this genus:
* '' Eudontomyzon danfordi'' Regan
The family name Regan, ...
''
* ''
Ichthyomyzon
''Ichthyomyzon'' is a genus of northern lampreys in the sub-family Petromyzontinae, native to North America.
Species
There are currently six recognized species in this genus:
* '' Ichthyomyzon bdellium'' ( D. S. Jordan, 1885) (Ohio lamprey)
* ' ...
''
* ''
Lampetra
''Lampetra'' is a genus of lampreys in the subfamily Petromyzontinae.
Species
The currently recognized species in this genus are:
* '' Lampetra aepyptera'' ( C. C. Abbott, 1860) (Least brook lamprey)
* '' Lampetra alavariensis'' Mateus, Alves, ...
''
* ''
Lethenteron
''Lethenteron'' is a genus of lamprey in the family Petromyzontidae.
Species
There are currently 7 recognized species in this genus:
* '' Lethenteron alaskense'' Vladykov & Kott, 1978 (Alaskan brook lamprey)
* '' Lethenteron appendix'' ( DeKa ...
''
* ''
Petromyzon
The sea lamprey (''Petromyzon marinus'') is a parasitic lamprey native to the Northern Hemisphere. It is sometimes referred to as the "vampire fish".
Description
The sea lamprey has an eel-like body without paired fins. Its mouth is jawless, ...
''
* ''
Tetrapleurodon
''Tetrapleurodon'' is a genus of lampreys that are Endemism, endemic to the Lerma River, Lerma–Lake Chapala, Chapala basin in west–central Mexico. Both species are Threatened species, threatened.
Species
There are two recognized species in t ...
''
References
External links
FishBase.org: Details for family Petromyzontidae – the Northern lampreys
Fish described in 1827
Fish families
Fish of Asia
Fish of Europe
Fish of North America
Fish of the Atlantic Ocean
Fish of the Pacific Ocean
.
Taxa named by Antoine Risso
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