New Research Publication Lamprey, Renamed

12/20/24

New genetics research by ALWRI's Kellie Carim and colleagues results in the renaming of an ancient, jawless, fish. 

Brook and river lamprey of western North America, which were formally lumped with European brook and river lampreys in the genus Lampetra, have been reclassified and given a brand new name. The new generic name, Occidentis, is Latin for “westerly” or “of the west”, and represents the broad geographic range of this genus from southeast Alaska to central California.

This range of this genus overlaps with more than three dozen wild and scenic rivers and over 50 wilderness areas. Although little studied until now, there is genetic evidence for several currently undescribed species in this genus, several of which may be endemic to just a single river basin. Work is underway to quantify the contribution of wilderness and wild and scenic rivers to supporting endemic lineages of Occidentis. 

Learn more about the work that went into renaming this ancient creature.