The ability of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) to utilize solid structural components to climb inclined surfaces

This thesis evaluated the ability of sea lamprey to ascend inclined surfaces. Chapter 1 was a field study set to determine if sea lamprey can ascend inclines by evaluating the hypothesis that sea lamprey can ascend inclines because they share the anguilliform swimming style with eels. Chapter 2 was a laboratory based study, that provided a better understanding of the basic structural and hydrodynamic requirements for how sea lamprey ascend inclines. A systematic set of competing hypotheses were designed that discriminated swimming from climbing and the role of simple and complex support surfaces for climbing. The results demonstrated that lamprey can climb slopes up to 80° under a variety of flows and slopes when provided with a complex structural environment. This research provides insights into the capacity of lamprey to surmount waterfalls and dams in the wild, and provides a basic framework for future development of sea lamprey management devices.