Lamprey Specimen, Plain

Doing a lamprey dissection is an incredible, hands-on learning opportunity for students!

These fascinating creatures resemble eels and are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. Sea lampreys are jawless fish, as are deep-sea scavenger fish called hagfish.

This plain preserved lamprey specimen is 18"-28" in length.  Lampreys are vertebrates of the class Cephalaspidomorphi, and the genus of this dissection specimen is typically Petromyzon (Atlantic) or Entosphenus (Pacific). 

During a lamprey dissection, students can learn to find and identify different parts of a lamprey's:

• respiratory system: respiratory tube, pharynx, buccal funnel, lungs, papillae, etc. 
• nervous system: spinal cord, notochord, etc.
• cardiovascular system: heart, aorta, anterior cardinal vein, ventricles, etc.
• endocrine system: pineal gland, pituitary gland, etc. 
• digestive system: intestines, cloaca, etc. 
• reproductive system: gonad (the organ that produces the ovary/testis), etc. 
• external anatomy: eyes, nostrils, external gills, anterior dorsal fin, posterior dorsal fin, caudal fin, etc. 
• and more!

Much can be learned when studying the side of the head and body of a lamprey, and even more can be discovered when you explore its complex body systems from a ventral point of view during a lamprey dissection!

10+ pricing is based on bulk-packed specimens. When necessary, you will receive a combination of 10-packs and individually packed specimens to fill your order.

Note: Specimens are initially preserved with a formaldehyde solution, the best animal tissue fixative. The formaldehyde is then displaced first with water and finally with a glycol solution to produce a moist, low-fume specimen which will not decay over time.

HST Specimen Guarantee

In sealed, original packaging, our preserved specimens are guaranteed to remain fully preserved and free of decay for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Once the original package is opened, use specimen within one month. For best results, observe the following storage procedures:

• Store specimen in heavy-duty, zip-lock bags to minimize drying between dissections.
• Specimen will slowly dry out or become contaminated in zip-lock bags; add a teaspoon of Specimen Holding Fluid to retain moisture.
• Freezing or refrigeration is not necessary and may damage fragile tissues.

More Information

• Safety Information (SDS)