Lampreys and Hagfish
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of 23 lamprey and hagfish specimens preserved in spirit. These date from 1882 to 1991.
This collection contains 18 lamprey specimens and five hagfish specimens. All three of the British species of lampreys are represented in the collection – the sea lamprey, river lamprey and brook lamprey. Many of these come from Loch Lomond and include one specimen still attached to its prey (a powan). There is also a jar containing five hagfish specimens. They are part of a collection acquired from the Marine Laboratory at Torry, Aberdeen.
About lampreys and hagfish
Lampreys (Petromyzonidae) and hagfish (Myxinidae) are primitive members of the phylum Chordata. Neither group are true fish as they have no lower jaws. Lampreys are eel-like in shape and their skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone. The lamprey’s mouth is surrounded by a round, sucker-like disc within which are strong, horny teeth. Most adult lampreys prey on other fish by attaching themselves to the sides of fish and scraping away the skin to feed on the flesh and fluids beneath. Hagfish are eel-like with horny teeth on the tongue and barbels around the mouth, and a skull made from cartilage. They are scavengers, feeding mainly on dead or injured fish. - Broader term
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