Review of the Lampreys of Iran (Family Petromyzontidae)

Abstract

The systematics, morphology, distribution, biology, economic importance and conservation of the lamprey of Iran are described, the species is illustrated, and a bibliography on this fish in Iran is provided. There is one native and endemic species in the Caspian Sea basin, Caspiomyzon wagneri. The genus Caspiomyzon is characterised by having 2 dorsal fins, an oral disc narrower than the body, teeth are generally low and blunt, the supraoral lamina is small, oval and sometimes has 2 tubercles and rarely 2 teeth, the infraoral lamina has 4-6, usually 5, teeth which may be bicuspid at their tips; there are about 8 small teeth of equal size in the transverse lingual lamina, the exolaterals, anterials and posterials are strong and close together, anterior and endolateral circumorals 9-11, usually 11, and 3 long, papillose velar tentacles are present. Characters of the species are the same as the genus. Trunk myomeres number of C. wagneri are 53-68 in ammocoetes, and 68-69 in adults.

Keywords

• Caspian Sea, Biology, Caspiomyzon, Morphology.