NANFA-- Silver Lampreys, Sirens, and Traps

Hoover, Jan J ERDC-EL-MS (Jan.J.Hoover-in-erdc.usace.army.mil)
Thu, 27 May 2004 13:04:55 -0500

The latest issue of the Journal of Freshwater Ecology (Vol. 19, Number 2 -
June 2004) has two articles that may be of special interest to native fish
enthusiasts:

"Field and laboratory observations on the ecology and behavior of the silver
lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) in Wisconsin" by NANFA members Philip
Cochran and John Lyons. Paper is a fascinating synthesis of several
different studies - including changes in seasonal migration patterns,
sex-based differences in size, size selection of hosts (including some
surprisingly small suckers and catfish), and site selection on hosts (parts
of carps).

"A simple technique for trapping Siren lacertina, Amphiuma means, and other
aquatic vertebrates," by Steve Johnson and William Barichivich. This paper
lists 14 species of amphibians (35 S.lacertina-in-one location, 32 A. means
at another location), 9 species of reptiles, and 32 species of fish they
collected-in-four locations in Florida using a commercially available
crayfish trap. Trap has 5 mm mesh and is manufactured by Lee Fisher
International (Tampa, Florida) and costs $20 (no lining) or $37.50 (with
Vexar lining to minimize injuries to herps). [Coincidentally - I saw one of
these traps for the first time last weekend. It was found in the middle of
a road by Tyler Strange, apparently having fallen from a truck. We have not
had the opportunity to test it yet]. Authors point out that the advantages
of this type of trap over other minnow traps. A must-read for the native
vertebrate collector !
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