Creature
Fast Facts
Introducing you to extinct species.
THE UKRAINIAN
MIGRATORY LAMPREY
1. Ukrainian migratory lamprey, Eudontomyzon sp. 'migratory', lacked scales and gill covers, breathing through 7 openings. 2. Lampreys are primitive fish not eels. 3. Lampreys are parasites with around 150 teeth and a rough tongue used for drilling a hole through flesh. 4. Lampreys prefer to latch onto a fish closest to the heart and drink their body fluids. 5. Lampreys have poor vision and rely on their sense of smell to find prey. 6. The Ukrainian migratory lamprey is the only extinct lamprey, but little is known about this species. 7. Each female lamprey lays 100,000. 10,000 will hatch. 8. The Greek Brook lamprey is critically endangered. 9. Niagara Falls was once a natural barrier keeping the now invasive sea lamprey from entering the Great Lakes. 10. Lampreys do not seem to seek out human blood even though some movies and shows depict this. 11. On December 1, 1135 King Henry I died from lamprey poisoning, from eating too many at once. According to Oregon.gov, a person should only eat 2 - 4 servings of lamprey per month.
Extinction
Cometh
Facing the light at the end of the tunnel
EXTINCTION DATE
Late 1800's?
The Ukrainian migratory lamprey was declared extinct in 2008, but little is known about its habit, range, or extinction story making it a short, mysterious tale. If more is uncovered, I will add it to this entry. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 7 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The Ukrainian migratory lamprey would not be a good candidate. So little is known about its habits and the DNA samples seem to be lacking at this time. Perhaps samples may be uncovered in a museum collection, but the Ukrainian migratory lamprey seems to have gone the way of the dodo with no hope of return to the rivers of the Ukraine.
The Ukrainian migratory lamprey's Lazarus tale has yet to be written, but what adventures will await it when it returns to the rivers in the Ukraine? Stay tuned to find out.
More to Explore
All answers lead to more questions
A museum specimen of a lamprey
Image from UCL's Grant Museum of Zoology
VIDEOS & ADDITIONAL INFO
UCL - Facts about Lamprey Group
Invasion of European Lamprey - Article
Science Journal for Kids - Invasive Species
Dirty Jobs - Lamprey Exterminator - Video
Eaten Alive by the Sea Lamprey - Video
Great Lake Sea Lamprey - Fast Facts for Kids