It's not like lampreys showed up yesterday. They've been around in the water of our region for something like 450 million years. But the eel-like fish have not gotten the attention of the more glamorous fish, like, say, chinook salmon.
California scientists recently put some work into researching lampreys, and found two distinct species--in California--that scientists had not previously noted. It's important because lamprey are so important to ecosystems, that it really helps to know what's out there.
Grace Auringer, a PhD candidate at the University of California-Davis led the study team. She visits to further illuminate the findings, accompanied by Pascale Goertler, co-researcher and Environmental Program Manager at the California Department of Water Resources.