review of the lampreys of iran (family petromyzontidae)

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.