Least Brook Lamprey in Kentucky 95 



Creek specimens from the formula K = W X 10 5 / L 3 (Carlander 1977). 

 Mean K values were as follows: ammocoetes, 0.15 (R - 0.10 - 0.23, N 

 = 107); transformers, 0.17 (R = 0.15 -0.19, N = 14); neotenes, 0. 13 (R = 

 0.10-0.17, N= 15). Rohdeet al. (1976) reported substantially higher K 

 values for L. aepyptera from Delaware, and found that the smallest 

 ammocoetes had the highest K values. 



Nest building and spawning behavior of L. aepyptera have been 

 well documented by earlier workers (Brigham 1973; Rohde et al. 1976; 

 Pflieger 1975; Seversmith 1953). Nesting areas typically contain large 

 aggregations of lampreys and spawning usually involves pairs, or one 

 female accompanied by two males. Reported water temperatures at 

 which spawning occurs have ranged from 10 to 16° C (Brigham 1973; 

 Rohde et al. 1976; Seversmith 1953). Although spawning was not 

 observed in Terrapin Creek, we observed nest construction by three 

 individuals in the Barren River drainage (Peter Creek, 1.6 km SE Dry 

 Fork, Barren Co., 18 March 1980). Our observations are similar to 

 those of Rohde et al. (1976) and Seversmith (1953). Nest building 

 occurred at the crest of a shallow riffle (water 15 cm deep) approxi- 

 mately 1.8 m from shore, over sand and loose gravel; water temperature 

 was 12° C. Of the three individuals on the nest, one left when we 

 approached. We observed stone movement and lateral body undulations 

 by both sexes, as described by Rohde et al. and Seversmith. The male 

 appeared to be more active in attempting to excavate a depression. 

 Lampetra aepyptera in the upper Cumberland drainage (Taylor Branch, 

 8.8 km E Whitley City, McCreary Co.) were found spawning with no 

 apparent nest construction over a bedrock substratum on 16 April 1977 

 (W. C. Starnes, pers. comm.). As determined from preserved specimens, 

 individuals of L. aepyptera in spawning condition in Kentucky have 

 been taken as early as 22 February and as late as 1 June, with a peak of 

 spawning activity from mid-March to early April. 



Reported male to female sex ratios of adults have ranged from 1:3 

 (Seversmith 1953) to 2.7:1 (Rohde et al. 1976). In the largest series of 

 adults from the Salt River drainage, Kentucky, this ratio was 2.3:1 

 (Knob Creek, Bullitt Co., 25-28 March 1950, N = 108). 



Fecundity estimates for L. aepyptera have ranged from 610 to 2154 

 eggs produced per adult female (Rohde et al. 1976; Seversmith 1953; 

 Valdykov et al. 1975). Rohde et al. found a positive correlation between 

 TL of female and number of eggs produced. The number of mature ova 

 in three Kentucky specimens (115, 142, 142 mm TL) was 1802, 2596, 

 and 3816, respectively, and egg diameters ranged from 0.70 to 1.00 mm 

 (x = 0.86 mm, N = 43). The number of mature ova from five neotenic 

 females (105-1 19 mm TL, x = 1 12.4 mm) from Terrapin Creek was 572, 

 753, 1036, 1443, and 1541, and egg diameters ranged from 0.66 to 1.36 

 mm(x = 0.99 mm, N = 100). Our data for the neotenes show the trend 

 reported by Rohde et al. (1976), that a decrease in the number of eggs 



