Abstract
NORMALLY the length of vertebrates (including fish1,2) does not become reduced even during prolonged fasting. This rule does not apply to the cyclostomes. The river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis (L.) Gray, is known to undergo a considerable shortening (up to 27 per cent3,4) during the months between its migration from the sea to the rivers in autumn and the spawning and ensuing death in spring. In this period the animals do not eat, and their gut is reduced.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Brown, M. E., in The Physiology of Fishes, edit. by Brown, M. E., 1, Chap. 9 (Academic Press, 1957).
Ciaccio, G., Atti Ist. Veneto Sci. Lett. Arti, 103, 133 (1943–44).
Cotronei, G., Pubbl. Staz. Zool. Napoli, 8, 371 (1927).
Ivanova-Berg, M. M., Arch. Hydrobiol., 25, 22 (1933).
Lanzing, W. J. R., Studies on the River Lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, during its Anadromous Migration (Uitgeversmaatschappii Neerlandia, Utrecht, 1959).
Zanandrea, G., Pubb. Staz. Zool. Napoli, 31, 265 (1959).
Hyman, L. H., Amer. J. Physiol., 53, 399 (1920).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
OLESEN LARSEN, L. Weight and Length in the River Lamprey. Nature 194, 1093 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/1941093a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1941093a0
This article is cited by
-
The role of external and internal factors during the phase of reproduction in lampreys, with special regard to the interplay between gonadal and extragonadal (interrenal) steroids.
Fish Physiology and Biochemistry (1990)
-
Data on the adult marine and migratory phases in the life cycle of the southern hemisphere lamprey, Geotria australis Gray
Environmental Biology of Fishes (1979)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.