| Main Ref. | Morrow, J.E., 1980 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | external |
| Mating type | polyandry |
| Spawning frequency | once in a lifetime |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Ref. Renaud, C.B., 2011 |
| Reproductive guild |
guarders nesters |
| Parental Care | biparental |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Both male and female engage in nest building, removing pebbles and small rocks from the stream bottom. The male uses his sucker to attach himself to the head of the female. The pair arch their bodies and the male wraps himself around the female. Both of the lampreys vibrate rapidly and eggs and sperm are extruded into the nest. Two males may simultaneously mate with a single female. A female will mate several times before her egg supply is exhausted, usually with several males. Ammocoetes spend one to two years in this stage. Upon metamorphosis (occurring from fall through winter, Ref. 12218), the young adults descend the stream to the sea or lakes or larger rivers (occurring in springtime, Ref. 12218) (Ref. 27547). |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |