Meet the Vegan Draculas of Australia

New research has confirmed the identity of a rare species of tropical lamprey in Australia that doesn't feed on blood. Known as the "Vegan Dracula" due to its toothless appearance, this lamprey has been living on K'gari island in Queensland since at least the 2022 discovery. Aquatic ecologists from Griffith University found these unique creatures electrofishing in the island's creeks.

The researchers believe these lampreys have been present in Queensland for a long time but remained hidden due to their secretive nature. The study, led by David Moffatt and Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo, found over 1,400 lampreys across all life stages, making it the sole tropical-water lamprey in the world. Additionally, two smaller, distinct-looking lampreys were identified, and researchers plan to determine if they are parasitic or "vegan" through genetic analysis.

This research sheds light on the evolutionary history of lampreys, as their nonparasitic species may have developed their feeding behavior as an acquired taste.