Mordacia lapicida, also known as the Chilean lamprey, is a species of southern topeyed lamprey endemic to southern Chile, where it can be found in riverine and marine habitats. This species is anadromous. This parasitic lamprey can reach a length of 54 centimetres (21 in) SL. Ammocoetes and adults of this species are found in rivers, and occur in fine sand along river banks.[3] The life cycle of a Mordacia lapicida is divided into three life stages: freshwater rearing, an ocean parasite and an adult spawning stage.[4] Once in the adult stage, individuals migrate into marine waters where they attack and attach themselves to marine fishes.[5]
| Mordacia lapicida | |
|---|---|
Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Infraphylum: | Agnatha |
| Class: | Hyperoartia |
| Order: | Petromyzontiformes |
| Family: | Mordaciidae |
| Genus: | Mordacia |
| Species: | M. lapicida |
| Binomial name | |
| Mordacia lapicida (J. E. Gray, 1851) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Extant lamprey species | |
|---|---|
| |
| Caspiomyzon |
|
| Entosphenus |
|
| Eudontomyzon |
|
| Geotria | |
| Ichthyomyzon |
|
| Lampetra |
|
| Lethenteron |
|
| Mordacia | |
| Petromyzon | |
| Tetrapleurodon |
|
| Taxon identifiers |
|---|