Sterilizing Effect of Cesium-137 Irradiation on Male Sea Lampreys Release in the Big Garlic River, Michigan: Relation of pH to Toxicity of Lampricide TFM in the Laboratory.

摘要

A total of 300 spawning-run sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) were released in the Big Garlic River, Marquette County, Michigan, June 6, 1984, to determine the effect of cesium-137 irradiation on the nesting and spawning behavior of males and on the viability of eggs. We released 100 irradiated males, 100 normal males, and 100 normal females. The lampreys constructed 63 nests in which they spawned successfully. Irradiated males showed no abnormal nest building or spawning behavior and competed effectively with normal males for females. The survival of eggs in nests in which irradiated males spawned with females was higher than expected (38% alive). Survival was lower (20%) in nests of early spawners, than in those nests of late spawners (62%); early spawners may have been more mature than late spawners at the time of irradiation. We concluded that gonads in spawning-run sea lampreys must be in advanced stages of development if irradiation is to be an effective sterilant