STATE : Alabama PROJECT NUMBER: E-1 SEGMENT: 2

STUDY NUMBER: 5

BLACK WARRIOR WATERDOG STATUS SURVEY

FINAL REPORT 1991-92

BY

MARK A. BAILEY

Dece:nber, 1992

Approved by: FINAL REPORT

State: Alabama

Study Title: Black Warrior Waterdog Status Survey Study No. 5

Project Title: Alabama Endangered Wildlife Projects Project No. E-1

Period Covered: 1 December 1990 to 30 September 1992

Prepared by: Alabama Natural Heritage Program Mark A. Bailey, Principal Investigator

Notice of nomenclatural conventions used in this report: In the absence of a Latin name, and for the sake of clarity and convenience, the undescribed Nectwus of the upper Black Warrior River system will be referred to by its generally accepted common name, the Black Warrior waterdog. Despite uncertainty over the proper taxonomic placement of other species (N. beyeri and/or N. a/abamensis) with which the Black Warrior waterdog is sympatric in the lower portion of its range, it/they will be referred to as N. a/abamensis.

Abstract: The Black Warrior waterdog, an undescribed form of endemic to the upper Black Warrior River system of Alabama, was surveyed for at 66 sites in nine counties from November, 1990 to February, 1992. Although gilled larvae of other genera including Desmognathus, Eurycea, and Pseudotriton were encountered at 28 (45%) of the 62 sites sampled by netting, Necturus specimens referable to the Black Warrior waterdog were found at only four (6%) of the 66 sites netted and/or trapped: the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Wmston County (six adults, one larva); Lost Creek, Walker County (one adult); North River and Yellow Creek, Tuscaloosa County (one larva and one subadult, respectively). The Walker and Tuscaloosa county records represent previously unreported occurrences. Presence of larvae indicates recent reproduction in the Sipsey Fork, Lost Creek and Yellow Creek populations. Despite repeated attempts, the Black Warrior waterdog was not confirmed from the Blackburn Fork of the Little Warrior River in Blount County, where it has been collected as recently as 1989. The Alabama waterdog (Necturus a/abamensis), a more common species occurring chiefly below the Fall Line in the Black Warrior River system, was found to be sympatric with the Black Warrior waterdog above the Fall Line in the North River above Lake Tuscaloosa, and was taken from two other Tuscaloosa County sites (Lye Branch and Carroll Creek) below the Fall Line. The upstream limit of sympatry is undetermined. Successful sampling techniques included funnel traps, shocking, and dip netting leaf beds. Sampling was often limited by water depth and availability of nettable leaf bed habitat. Multiple captures occurred at two locations, indicating '

Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 2

that where common, waterdogs can be detected without great effort, at least at some sites. All streams sampled showed some degree of degradation from sedimentation, and many appeared to be biologically depauperate. The apparent scarcity or absence of the Black Warrior waterdog at a number of thoroughly sampled sites suggests actual rarity and/or absence in large portions of the upper Warrior Basin. Specimens collected during this study may be representative of an undetermined number of fragmented subpopulations. More intensive work is needed to better determine the degree of fragmentation and to investigate reproductive biology, particularly the susceptibility of eggs and larvae to water quality degradation. Additional work is also needed to determine the condition of populations (if any) occurring in deep water habitats, but results presented in this first range-wide investigation of the Black Warrior waterdog's distnoution suggest that the form is rare, probably critically imperiled due to habitat degradation, and in need of protection. Considering the current rates of industrial and residential development in the Warrior basin and projected future expansion of mineral extraction in the Warrior coal field, unless conditions improve over portions of the upper Black Warrior River system and a way is found to increase the number and size of the remaining waterdog populations, prospects for long-term survival are poor.

INTRODUCflON

Background The waterdogs of the Black Warrior River system have been assigned, at one time or another, to four different species: Necturus macu/osus, N. alabamensis, N. beyeri. and an undescribed species. Two distinct forms, one with striped larvae and the other with plain or fmely spotted larvae, inhabits the drainage above the Fall Line. The taxonomic status of Necturus in Alabama is confused due largely to the lack of representative series of specimens from critical areas (Mount 1975), and continues to frustrate herpetologists and taxonomists today.

Prior to 1937, all of the currently recognized Necturus species of the Gulf drainages were treated as N. macu/osus. Viosca (1937) revised the genus, describing N. a/abamensis from the Black Warrior River near Tuscaloosa. In the same paper was the description of N. beyeri, to which Viosca also assigned specimens from the Tuscaloosa area. Viosca did not examine specimens any great distance upstream from Tuscaloosa, nor did he elaborate on the location of collections relative to the Fall Line. Viosca considered a/abamensis to be a relatively small Necturus (the gravid female holotype measured 168 mm total length), and noted the depressed head and body (and their similarity to maculosus), immaculate venter, and dark line from the corner of the eye through the gills. Larvae were unknown. N. beyeri was characterized as larger (to 223 mm), bead and body sub-cylindric (not depressed), venter spotted, larvae with spots, and adults lacking the dark facial stripes of a/abamensis. Hecht (1958) reassigned akzbamensis as a subspecies of beyeri. Neill Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 3

{1963) contended that alabamensis and beyeri occurred in sympatry and that alabamensis should be returned to full species. Gunter and Brode (1964) disagreed with Neill's , but noted that specimens of W. beyeri alabamensis" from the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River at Cordova displayed a distinct tendency to have spots arranged in three rows, one down the back and one on each side (a pattern which, incidentally, is suggestive of the larval stripe pattern of the Black Warrior waterdog).

Brode (1969) first called attention to the possibility of an undescribed Necturus in the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, and considered that population to be a new subspecies of maculosus, and Maxson tf.p.l. (1988) also also considered this population to be maculosus. Mount (1975), acknowledging the confused state of Necturus taxonomy in Alabama, tentatively grouped all populations outside the Tennessee drainage as beyeri. Guttman et. a/. (1990) electrophoretically distinguished alabamensis and beyeri as separate species, considered Alabama populations to be alabamensis, and commented that the Black Warrior populations were electrophoretically slightly distinct from other Necturus in the Mobile drainage. Those authors went on to state that based on molecular differences, the striped larval pattern, the presence of other endemic in the geologically distinct watershed (e.g., Stemocherus depressus), and Neill's (1963) assertion that two distinct Necturus were to be found in the Black Warrior River just above Tuscaloosa, further assessment of the taxonomic status of the Black Warrior River waterdogs is warranted. A formal species description of the Black Warrior waterdog is currently in preparation by Ashton and others.

Description The Black Warrior waterdog is a relatively large, gilled, aquatic salamander with a maximum length of around 200 mm (7.8 inches). Larvae (28-48 mm total length) are dorsally dark brown or black with two light dorsolateral stripes beginning at the nostril, extending posteriorly through the eye, and terminating on the dorsal fm of the tail. Other Gulf drainage Necturus are not known to have striped larvae (Guttman et. aJ. 1990). Subadults (40-100 mm total length) are not conspicuously marked, with little if any spotting, but a dark stripe extends from the nostril through the eye and to the gills. Adults may be spotted or unspotted, and retain the dark eye stripe. The ventral surface of all age classes is plain white. Adults resemble the Neuse River waterdog, N. lewisi, of the Tar and Neuse rivers of North Carolina (Ashton and Peavy 1986). The striped pattern exhibited by the larvae closely resembles that of N. maculosus larvae (Hecht 1958, Brode 1969).

Distribution Prior to this study, the Black Warrior waterdog was known from only a few localities, with recent conflTDled records only from the Sipsey Fork in Wmston County and Blackburn Fork in Blount County (Ashton, 1986). Where conditions are favorable, the Black Warrior waterdog probably inhabits larger streams (10 m wide or greater) throughout the upper Black Warrior River system (F'tgUre 1), since many smaller tributaries in the .•

Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 4

Figurel. Presumed Distnbution of the Black Warrior Waterdog. Dots represent localities reported since 1989. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 5 region go dry in late summer due to little or no recharge from the surrounding Pottsville sandstone and shale. Hydrologic requirements are likely similar to those of N. lewisi in North Carolina, which was found to predominantly occur in streams greater than 15 m wide and deeper than 100 em, and was not found in streams where water flow ceases under normal summer dry weather conditions (Braswell and Ashton, 1985).

Based on the above assumptions, the Black Warrior waterdog can generally be expected to inhabit the same streams as the federally listed Threatened flattened musk turtle (StemothenJS depressus), which is also restricted to permanent streams above the Fall Line in the Black Warrior River system (Mount 1975). The historic range of these two species may have been virtually identical, and both may now be absent from large portions of formerly occupied habitat. Due largely to habitat degradation, the flattened musk turtle may currently maintain viable populations in only 142 of 947 stream miles in the upper Black Warrior system, a mere 15 percent of the formerly suitable habitat (U.S. FISh and Wildlife Service, 1990).

Life History and Ecology Basic life history information is virtually nonexistent for the Black Warrior waterdog. A captive collected from the Sipsey Fork during this study consumed earthworms, crayfish, fiSh (Eiassoma zonatum ), and larval waterdogs (N. alabamensis) with which it was housed, indicating opportunistic feeding on a wide range of and invertebrate life. The relatively depressed body indicates adaptation to a rocky stream habitat, as has been suggested for the flattened musk turtle which occupies the same habitats. Captive waterdogs maintained in aquaria with a simulated rocky stream bottom rarely ventured from beneath the rocks until after dark. Waterdogs are rarely encountered in the summer months, and appear to be more active after water temperatures drop and leaf beds begin to accumulate in late fall. Neill (1963), commenting on seasonal activity patterns of alabamensis and other Necturus species, noted that waterdogs are most often active on cold stormy nights or after heavy rains have swollen streams to near flooding, conditions under which predatory fiShes are least likely to be actively foraging. An attempt to collect waterdogs (by both netting and shocking) at the Sipsey Fork Highway 33 bridge locality in the summer of 1991 was unsuccessful (H. Bart, pers. comm.), even though shocking had yielded four adults in 45 minutes at the same spot the previous November and two adults and one larva were taken there the following November. During this study, Black Warrior waterdog larvae and adults were collected from submerged leaf beds and adults were taken from crevices under submerged ledges and flat rocks. Leaf beds are often rich in invertebrate life, and are probably used as both shelter and foraging habitat. Age at sexual maturity is unknown. Post-hatchling larvae have been collected in November and December, suggesting late spring or early summer nesting {Ashton, 1986). Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 6

METHODS General Beginning in November, 1990, visits to sites within the suspected range of the Black Warrior waterdog began. Field work was completed in February, 1992. Of 99 sites visited, 66 were actually sampled (Figure 2). Selection of sampling sites involved locating stream crossings on county highway maps, followed by an on-site final assessment based on access.ibility, stream character, and safety. An attempt was made to distnoute collecting efforts as evenly as possible throughout the watershed, with a slight bias toward sampling the better-looking habitats in an attempt to twn up new occurrence records. At each site, biotic and physical characteristics were noted, along with other appropriate information (Appendix). Specimens collected were retained for further study (although four from the Sipsey Fork site were released), and are currently frozen and awaiting molecular analysis (H. Bart, pers. comm.).

Collecting techniques employed during the survey included dip netting leaf beds, trapping with funnel traps, and shocking with backpack fish shockers. Each technique was successful to some degree. Netting was the least time-intensive method and was judged to be fairly effective (13 waterdogs caught). Trapping was found to be a poor technique (one waterdog caught), although large numbers of crayfish were collected. CambaJUS obstipus is a large endemic crayfish of the Black Warrior River system that was found to have a propensity for entering funnel traps intended for waterdogs. It is possible that waterdogs are disinclined to enter once a trap is occupied by a large crayfish. In Louisiana, where funnel traps have been used with good success on N. beyeri, crayfish were only rarely captured (H. Bart, pers. comm.). Sampling deep stream channels and other deep water habitats such as reservoirs with nets proved impractical, and these areas were not surveyed.

Netting Over the course of the study, dip netting leaf beds was found to be the most effective sampling technique, allowing sampling of a large number of sites in a shorter period of time than trapping. Memphis Net & Twine HDD-2 D-frame dip nets with 24-inch-deep 30 lb. 1/8-inch Delta nylon netting worked very well. Typically, we would wade into a stream, locate a submerged leaf bed, scoop up as much litter as the net would hold (often 20 pounds or more of wet leaves), and dump it on a flat area near the stream (usually a sand bar or bare stream bank) to be thoroughly examined. Aquatic salamander larvae (Nectwus, Desmognathus, Eurycea, and Pseudotriton) could often be seen squirming out of the pile or found by sorting carefully through it. Both larvae and adults were collected in this manner. Streams were generally sampled for a minimum of 20 minutes (or as long as leaf bed habitat held out), with one researcher typically working upstream from a bridge crossing and one working downstream. A limitation to this technique was water depths greater than 1.5 m, which prevented safe wading. The three new waterdog occurrence records resulting from this survey were obtained by netting leaf beds. Black Warrior Waterdog Sunoey 1990-91 7

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FtgUJ'e 2. Distribution of sampling sites. . Solid dots represent Necturus collection sites Black Wanior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 8

Trappini During the first winter season (1990-91), trapping was relied upon as the principal collecting technique. Sixty funnel traps were constructed by cutting 4-inch PVC pipe into 8-inch lengths. A half-pint funnel (Contico Automotive Corporation, St. Louis. MO) was attached to one end of a segment, and the other end was capped with orange plastic slip-on test caps (IPS Corporation, Collierville, TN). Holes were drilled through the pipe material to allow traps to sink quickly. Traps were baited with either chopped earthworms or catfish stinkbait placed inside perforated 35 mm film canisters. Although constructed differently, the trap dimensions were essentially identical to those of traps successfully used elsewhere on N. beyeri and N. lewisi (H. Bart, pers. comm.). A test of the technique in •good" habitat proved disappointing, however. In November 1991, trapping conditions were excellent (cold water, heavy rains, high turbidity) at the Sipsey Fork location where 4 waterdogs had been collected by shocking the previous November, yet only one individual was caught out of 23 traps baited with earthworms, and all but five traps contained large crayflSh. This site bad also been unsuccessfully trapped the previous February (15 traps set). Since it was impractical to set out more than 15 traps at most sites, such a low capture rate at a location known to support a healthy population led us to the conclusion that trapping was unjustifiably time-consuming and unreliable. Further investigation is warranted to determine the effectiveness of funnel traps on Black Warrior waterdogs, and the possible effects of large crayflSh on trapping success.

Shocking Shocking can be an effective Necturos collecting technique (Shoop and Gunning 1%7), and a gasoline­ powered backpack fish shocker was successfully used to collect four adult waterdogs from under rock slabs in less than one hour at one site on the Sipsey Fork. Unfortunately, suitable depth and turbidity conditions were infrequently encountered elsewhere in the watershed (Lost Creek near Townley and Gurley Creek were exceptions). When jolted by electric current, waterdogs may be driven out from under rocks, but unlike many fish, stunned waterdogs do not float toward the surface where they could be more easily seen. Unless quickly netted, they may be swept away by the current. Shocking for waterdogs requires good visibility. Polarized sunglasses are a necessity and turbidity must not limit visibility to the bottom.

RESULTS General Specimens referable to the Black Warrior waterdog were found at only four of the 66 sites: the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Winston County (six adults, one larva); Lost Creek, Walker County (one adult); North River and Yellow Creek, Tuscaloosa County (one larva and one subadult, respectively). The Walker and Tuscaloosa county records represent previously unreported occurrences. Despite the relative rarity of Necturus from collections (present at 6% of all sites sampled), of the 62 sites at which dipnetting of leaf beds Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 9 was conducted, larval plethodontid salamnaders were found at 28 ( 45% ). The presence of larval and subadult Black Warrior waterdogs at the Sipsey Fork, North River, and Yellow Creek can be considered to indicate populations in these areas are reproducing (or recently were). A brief discussion of each collection site follows.

Winston County The Sipsey Fork upstream of Lewis Smith Lake contains the largest population of the flattened musk turtle (Dodd 1990), and apparently this stretch of stream has the largest population of the Black Warrior waterdog as well. This is apparently the only known stream where adults and/or larvae can readily be found. Of three sampling trips to this site, two were successful, yielding a total of seven individuals (four were released), and this is the only spot where more than a single individual was encountered during the study. The upper Sipsey Fork drains the Sipsey Wilderness Area in Bankhead National Forest, where the watershed is relatively undisturbed and free from surface mining impacts.

Walker County One adult waterdog, apparently the Black Warrior waterdog form, was collected at the confluence of Guthrie Creek and Lost Creek in Walker County. Lost Creek drains a heavily mined watershed. Sedimentation with coal fines covered the bottom, and conditions did not appear favorable for waterdogs. The extensive leaf bed from which the waterdog was taken was associated with the mouth of Guthrie Creek, a smaller tributary that could conceivably serve as a refuge from which waterdogs might venture. Guthrie Creek appeared to be in much better condition. Despite intensive efforts to collect additional specimens, none could be found. This individual may represent a reproducing population, a relic of a formerly viable population, or a waif. Mount (1981) reported a healthy flattened musk turtle population several miles upstream near Pocahontas, and the individual captured here could have originated upstream where conditions were more suitable. Ernst (1983) trapped unsuccessfully for flattened musk turtles about three miles downstream from this site, and also reported heavy sedimentation and the presence of coal fmes. A local landowner informed Ernst that the bottom was mostly bedrock-boulder-cobble 30 years earlier, but Ernst found the rocks completely overlain in most places with deep sand and silt sediments.

Tuscaloosa County Waterdogs referable toN. alabamensis were collected from two sites below the Fall Line: Carroll Creek {1 subadult) and Lye Branch (7 subadults). Both are relatively small streams. The two Black Warrior waterdog localities were above the Fall Line.

A leaf bed in Yellow Creek yielded a faintly striped subadult Necturus, presumably the Black Warrior waterdog form. Bottom conditions were entirely sand. Mount (1981) reported conditions 1.5 mile upstream Black Wanior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 10 little as supporting flattened musk turtles (9 were collected), with abundant invertebrates, rocky bottom, and evidence of stream degradation.

Two waterdog larvae, one striped and one unstriped. were collected from the North River near Samantha. was Discussion of the implications of sympatry follows below. Leaf bed habitat was limited, and the bottom musk mostly bedrock and grave~ with some silt. Ernst (1983) reported a healthy, reproducing flattened turtle population and native mussels at this site, with similar bottom conditions encountered during this study. He reported "only a few" old mines in the watershed, and identified agricultural runoff as the greatest factor influencing habitat quality in the upper reaches of North River.

Sympatry with other Necturus species In the same leaf bed with the striped larva (presumably the Black Warrior waterdog) found in the North River was an unstriped post-hatchling larva, tentatively identified as N. a/abamensis. Sympatry of alabamensis with the undescribed Black Warrior waterdog bas not been reported, but Viosca (1937) reported of two distinct forms (alabamensis and beyeri) the Tuscaloosa area, and the possibility that his description a/abamensis included the Black Warrior waterdog should not be totally discounted without further investigation. The description was based on only two specimens, and one was in poor condition without 1957 adequate locality information. Also, larvae were not available at the time of Yiosca's description. In a presentation to the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists shortly before his death, Viosca recounted having recently collected both beyeri and alabamensis at the same locality but in separate microhabitats between two locks on the Black Warrior River just above Tuscaloosa (Neill, 1963). Speculation aside, all that can be concluded from this study is that striped and unstriped larval Necturus that occur together in the North River. The stream is on the Fall Line transition zone, and it is not unlikely alabamensis ranges up into the North River, as has been seen with many lowland fishes (H. Bart, pers. comm.). The upstream extent of sympatry in the Black Warrior River system is as yet undetermined.

Habitat of Based on the small number of occurrrences known, it appears that the Black Warrior waterdog is capable existing in a number of habitat types, but this is not to say that it is maintaining healthy populations in all habitats in which it may be found. No stream visited during the study appeared totally unaffected by were siltation, and the degree to which siltation affects waterdogs is unknown. In the Sipsey Fork, waterdogs shocked from under slabs of flat rock in the middle of the channel, and siltation here is very low (although the bottom is sandy in places). Where present, heavy sedimentation covers rock crevices in the stream bottom, which limits habitat. Exposed bedrock was present at the Sipsey Fork and North River sites, but locally absent at the Lost River and Yellow Creek sites. Substrate at the Blackburn Fork (site of a 1989 10 m collection) is largely bedrock. Stream width at occupied habitat varied from to 25 m at North River to at Yellow Creek. Depth varied, but pools to at least 1 m were present at all sites, as were leaf beds. A Black Warrior Watmlog Survey 1990-92 11 subjective approximation of optimal waterdog habitat is a free-flowing stream having the following chararacteristics: (1) width of 10 m or more; (2) pools at least 1m deep and with detectable current; (3) abundant leaf beds supporting a diverse invertebrate fauna during winter months; (4) submerged rocks with crevices, (5) low sedimentation; (6) low nutrient and bacterial count, and (7) minimal pollution by toxic chemicals.

Threats The Black Warrior waterdog is dependent for survival on the quality of the chemical and physical environment of the streams of the upper Black Warrior River system. There is general concern among herpetologists familiar with the that habitat degradation may have resulted in its reduction or extirpation over much of its historic range. With the large population centers of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Jasper, the watershed contains more industrial and residential land area than any other river basin in the state. Sources of point and nonpoint pollution 'are numerous and widespread, and the chemical quality of surface waters within the Black Warrior River system has had a significant effect on the distribution of certain fishes, resulting in local extirpations of some species (Mettee et. al. 1989). According to a water quality management plan developed by the Alabama Water Improvement Commission in 1976, waters of the Black Warrior River system, particularly those in the Jefferson County area, constituted Alabama's most severe water pollution problem. The following sources of pollution were identified and counted in the Black Warrior watershed: agricultural feed lots (61); surface mines (178); sewage treatment plants (34), and semipublic/private sources (36). These sources are doubtless more numerous today. Sedimentation is evident in virtually all medium to large streams of the Black Warrior River system, and primarily results from land use practices such as clearcutting, cultivation, road construction, industrial and residential development, and surface mining.

Surface mining probably represents the greatest threat to the biological integrity of streams of the Black Warrior River system, and has doubtless affected the distribution of the Black Warrior waterdog. The Warrior coal field lies almost entirely within the watershed and produces ninety percent of the approximately 20 million tons of coal mined annually in Alabama (Harris et. al. 1983). Strip mining for coal results in many hydrologic problems that affect aquatic organisms. Erosion and sedimentation, decline in groundwater levels, and general degradation of water quality are all consequences of surface mining activity. Average annual sediment yields can increase dramatically in surface mined areas; compare 20 tons per square mile from areas unaffected by mining to 300,000 tons per square mile from mined areas (Harkins et. al. 1980). Mining activities typically consist of removal of vegetation, excavation, and creation of large volumes of unconsolidated spoil, providing opportunities for erosion and increased sediment yield. Runoff from coal surface mining represents a major source of stream pollution throughout the upper Black Warrior basin, with the resulting acidification, increased mineralization, and sediment loading having a significant effect on ftSh ..

Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 12 is far from bright. communities (Mettee et. al. 1989). The future of aquatic communities in the watershed area disturbed by According to Alabama Geological Survey information quoted by Mount (1981), the total 117 square miles. mining in the seven major counties in the upper Black Warrior River system in 1975 was 158 square miles The projected area of disturbance by the year 2020 is 288 square miles, with an estimated in 1975. to be disturbed after 1990, representing a 150 percent increase over the level of disturbance

Black Warrior River Dodd, et. al. (1988), after an intensive study, concluded that sedimentation in the upper of mollusks and other system appears to have seriously affected the flattened musk turtle by: (1) reduction forage and take cover, invertebrates used as food; (2) physical alteration of rocky habitats where the sources may and (3) developing a substrate in which chemicals toxic to the animals and their food the stream bottom and accumulate and persist. Black Warrior waterdogs spend virtually all of their lives at are therefore in almost constant contact with any toxic sediments that may be present.

and Five Mile creeks, Streams draining the Birmingham/Jefferson County area, particularly Village, Valley, conspicuous absence of have historically had serious water quality problems. Mettee et. a/. (1989) noted the Mulberry, and Locust at least nine fish species, otherwise abundant and easily collected in the lower Sipsey, Forks, from streams draining the Birmingham Metropolitan Area.

from agricultural Most streams sampled showed evidence of degradation of their natural character (often scarcity or absence and/or mining runoff), and many were relatively biologically depauperate. The apparent reflect actual rarity or of the Black Warrior waterdog at a number of sites that were thoroughly sampled may absence over much of the presumed historic range.

Smith (21,200 acres), Large impoundments within the presumed range of the waterdog include Lake Lewis ("Tom Bevill Lake Tuscaloosa (5,885 acres), and Inland Lake (1,540 acres), and a large impoundment in these Reservoir") is proposed for the North River in Fayette County. The occurrence of waterdogs reservoirs are likely impoundments is problematical. Due to the relative abundance of predatory fish, large have not been marginal or unsuitable habitat for the Black Warrior waterdog, but effects of impoundment demonstrated.

to some extent in Presence and abundance of waterdogs in portions of the range may have been influenced ation and Natural recent years by non-native fish stocking efforts of the Alabama Department of Conserv saxatilis) and Resources. Since the early 1970's, white bass/striped bass hybrids (Moro11e cluysops x M. most locks and dams Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) have been stocked below from 1975 through and in Lake Tuscaloosa. Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) were stocked in Lake Tuscaloosa 1985 (Mettee et. aL 1989). Black Warrior Watenlog Survey 1990-91 13 (as well as The inability to collect additional voucher specimens from the Walker and Tuscaloosa county sites may the historic Blackburn Fork site in Blount County) indicates that populations occurring in low densities be missed by seemingly thorough sampling. and it is probable that waterdogs were overlooked at some other Sipsey sites. However, multiple captures occurred at two locations (seven Black Warrior waterdogs at the detected Fork and seven N. alabamensis at Lye Branch), indicating that where common, waterdogs can be basin is without great effort, at least at some sites. Fragmentation of populations throughout the Warrior suspected, as has been well documented in the case of the flattened musk turtle (Dodd 1990).

Recommendations in degraded Results of this study indicate highly fragmented populations occurring at low population densities habitat. and habitat conditions are predicted to worsen in the forseeable future. The Black Warrior "Poorly waterdog currently receives no protection from state or federal agencies. A revision of status (from Known• to Threatened or Endangered) by The Alabama Department of Conservation is warranted. of Although further investigation is needed, sufficient information is on hand to warrant a recommendation protection listing as Threatened by the U.S. riSh and Wildlife Service, which would extend more substantive to the species and its habitat. The addition of the Black Warrior waterdog to the growing list of endangered and its and threatened animals of the Black Warrior basin should add impetus to recovery of the watershed critically imperiled endemic fauna.

would Although mechanisms to list undescribed taxa are in place, publication of a formal species description of the no doubt expedite state and federal listing of the Black Warrior waterdog, as was seen in the case Cahaba shiner, Notropis cahabae, and is to be anticipated in the case of the recently described vermilion al. darter (Etheostoma chemwcki) from Turkey Creek of the upper Black Warrior system (Boschung et. authors 1992). Like the Black Warrior waterdog. the vermilion darter has been known since the 1960s. The not of the darter's species description argue convincingly for Endangered status, and lament that it was named sooner and afforded more protection. The same can be said for the Black Warrior waterdog.

Suggestions for Future Research The lack of information on the reproductive biology of the Black Warrior waterdog, particularly susceptibility of of eggs and larvae to water quality degradation, is an information gap that may hamper the development age at conservation measures for the species' protection and recovery. More life history information (i.e., be required maturity, longevity, fecundity, etc.) is badly needed. Additional and more intensive fieldwork will to determine the degree of fragmentation of subpopulations. The Necturus lewisi distributional study during two conducted by Braswell and Ashton (1985) in North Carolina employed three full time technicians status four-month survey periods, surveying 361 sites, and the Black Warrior waterdog's critical conservation and surely warrants investigation on a similar scale. This study provides baseline information on distribution Black Warrior Waterdog Survey -1990-92 14 apparent abundance at 66 sites. The lade of data from large main channel streams (e.g., Mulberry and Locust Forks) is an information gap that should be addressed in future work. Possible techniques that might work in such areas are set lines (baited hooks) and SCUBA diving. If possible, the method of capture of the 39 (or more) waterdogs collected by Hallman at the Mulberry Fork at Cordova in March of 1938 should be determined and repeated throughout the main channel habitats of the Black Warrior River system.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A number of individuals made contributions to this study. Hank Bart accompanied tlie principal investigator on the fJISt trip, provided valuable field assistance, equipment, advice, and data from the Tulane museum collection. His assistance throughout the study was of tremendous value. Marisa Lee was the indispensable field assistant on all of the December 1991-February 1992 trips, during which the bulk of the field work was done, and shamed the principal investigator by fmding at least half of the waterdogs collected. Bob Mount, George Folkerts, Paul Moler, Malcolm Pierson, and Scott Mettee related their experiences with Nectwus in Alabama. Rick Mayden did the same and provided data from the University of Alabama museum. Joe Fitzpatrick identified a number of the crayfish collected. Craig Guyer provided helpful comments as well as data from the Auburn museum. Jimmy Huntley, Kelly Russell, Bradley Kohls, and Leigh McDougal provided assistance and equipment for work on National Forest lands. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 15

LITERA11JRE CITED

Warrior River basin. Alabama Water Improvement Commission, 1976. Water quality management plan: Black R.H. (ed.), Vertebrate Ashton, R.E., Jr., and J. Peavy. 1986. Black Warrior waterdog. Pages 63-64 in Mount, pp. animals of Alabama in need of special attention. Ala. Agr. Expt. Sta., Auburn Univ. 124 species of darter (Teleostei: Boschung, H.T., R.L. Mayden, and J.R. Tomelleri. 1992. Etlteostoma chennocki, a new 13:11-20. Percidae) from the Black Warrior drainage of Alabama. Bull. Alabama Mus. Nat. Hist. /ewisi (Brimley). Braswell, A.L. and R.E. Ashton. 1985. Distnbution, ecology, and feeding habits of Necturus Brimleyana 10:13-35. University of Brode, W .E. 1969. A systematic study of the genus Necturus Rafmesque. Ph.D. Dissertation. Southern Mississipp~ Hattiesburg. 137 pp. musk turtle, Stemotherus Dodd, C.K., Jr., K.M. Enge, and J.N. Stuart. 1988. Aspects of the biology of the flattened depressus, in northern Alabama. Bull. Florida State Mus., Bioi. Sci. 34(1):1-64.

the flattened musk turtle Dodd, C.K., Jr.. 1990. Effects of habitat fragmentation on a stream-dwelling species, Stemotlterus depressus . Biological Conservation 54:33-45. musk turtle in the Ernst, C.H., W A. Cox, and K.R. Marion. 1983. The distnbution and status of the flattened pp. Warrior basin of Alabama. Unpublished report to the Alabama Coal Association. 136 adjacent areas. Herpetologica Gunter, G. and W .E. Brode. 1964. Necturus in the state of Mississippi, with notes on 20:114-1.26. 1990. An electrophoretic Guttman, S.l., LA. Weigt, P.E. Moler, R.E. Ashton, Jr., B.W. Mansell, and J. Peavy. . analysis of Necturus from the southeastern United States. J. Herpetology 24(2):163-175 Alabama. U.S. Geological Harkins, J.R., and others. 1980. Hydrologic assessment, eastern coal province Area 23, Survey Water Resources Investigations 80-683.

Biological and hydrological Harris, S.C., P.E. O 'Neill, R..V. Chandler, M.F. Mettee, and EJ. McCullough. 1983. premining­ impacts of surface mining for federal minerals in the Tyro Creek watershed, Alabama: aquatic baseline information. Geological Survey of Alabama Bulletin 116. Island Inst. Arts and Hecht, M.K. 1958. A synopsis of the mud puppies of eastern North America. Proc. Staten Sci., 21:1-38.

of the genus Necturus. J. Maxson, L.R., P.E. Moler, and B.W. Mansell. 1988. Albumin evolution in Herpetology 22(2):235-236. Warrior River system in Mettee, M.F., P .E. O'Neill, J.M. Pierson, and R.D. Suttkus. 1989. Fishes of the Black Alabama. Geological Survey of Alabama Bulletin 133. Station, Auburn, Mount, R.H. 1975. The Reptiles and of Alabama. Alabama AgriculturalExperiment Alabama. 347 pp. Tinkle and Webb. Report Mount, R.H. 1981. The status of the flattened musk turtle, Stemotherus minor depressus to U.S. F1Sh and Wildlife Service, Jackson, Mississippi. .. , Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 16

Herpetologica 19(3):1()6..174. Neill, W.T. 1963. Notes on the Alabama waterdog. Nectwus alabamensis Viosca. in Louisiana. Copeia 1967 (4) : Shoop, C.R. and G.E. Gunning. 1967. Seasonal activity and movements of Nectwus 732-737. Mississippi. 15 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. Flattened musk turtle recovery plan. Jackson, new species from the Viosca, P., Jr.. 1937. A tentative revision of the genus Nectwus with descriptions of three southern Gulf drainage area. Copeia 1937 (2):120-138.

APPENDIX . ~On~ Site Commentary . YoA S~.J5 lo ;yv-,:, ('JQc..~~ BLOUNT COUNIY __.. D ~ 30. Blackburn Fork at wooden bridge on unpaved road just off Co. Rd. 15, T13S R1E Sec. D (1), Pseudotriton 26 February 1991: Netted several leaf beds, collected 5 salamander larvae. Desmognathus abundant here. (1), unidentified (3). Also got several sculpins out of the leaves. Snails remarkably 3 December 1991: Revisited, but water was too high and muddy to shock or dipnet. netting extensive 9 December 1991: Water was much clearer than the week before. Spent about 45 minutes and plethodontid leaf beds, mostly upstream from the bridge. Rain began as we arrived. Caught sculpins Habitat here larvae in leaf beds. Crawfish and present. Tried the shocker, but it malfunctioned. looks pretty good for Necturus. Lots of leaf beds, deep pools, rocks.

Blackburn Fork at Co. Rd. 15, T13S RlW Sec. 13. 6 and larvae in 1989. A 9 December 1991: This is apparently the site where Ashton collected Necturus adults , and worked them trail'just west of the bridge runs south along the stream. We found extensive leaf beds were fairly abundant, intensively (two people netting for 40 minutes). Invertebrates and plethodontid larvae excellent (lots of but no sign of Nectwus. We really expected to ftnd them here. Habitat conditions seem contained a lot rock and leaf beds), and water quality seems good. Water was fairly clear, although leaf beds of silt, which muddied the water when disturbed.

0 Calvert Prong at Deavers Town, T13S RlE Sec. 6. Leaf beds were 9 December 1991: Spent about 30 minutes here, mostly downstream from the bridge. stream passes to scarce (water was pretty swift in most places), but some had accumulated where part of the Some crawftsh. the right around an island. No Necturus, but several plethodontid larvae were found. is a big Corbicula abundant. Looks like potential Necturus habitat. Rocky bottom, plenty of crevices. There potential site for expanse of scoured bare rock just upstream from the bridge, on the right. Looks like a outcrop plants like Lindemia monticola.

0 Wynnville Creek, TllS R2E Sec. 3. the creek, with lots 17 December 1991: Stream is about 10 m wide here. Several fairly new homes around bare rock is of recently cleared land. Siltation is heavy, covering most of the bottom, although some Netted several times, exposed. Average depth about 0.5 m with some deep pools. Limited leaf bed habitat. were caught in but found no Necturus or plethodontid larvae. Two large yellow bullheads (Ictalurus natalis) visibility less than leaf beds. Lepomis and centrarchid minnows present. Snails common. Moderately turbid, the water's edge. 3 feet. A sewage field line (4" black plastic) was found protruding from the bank at Sewage is probably entering the stream here. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 17

() Big Mud Creek, TlOS R3E Sec. 29. 17 December 1991: Stream is only 8-10 m wide, about 0.5 m deep here, although we expected it to be larger downstream from the confluence with Little Mud. Badly silted, but water was fairly clear. Bottom w~ entirely covered with silt. No rock seen. No Corbicula or crawftSh in leaves, but one plethodontid salamander larva was found, and an adult male pond slider (Trachemys) was found moving slowly across the bottom in about 2 feet of water. Water temperature£ilil for a turtle (was 7.5 degrees C). Size of this stream, coupled with siltation, may make for unsuitable Nectwus habitat.

0 Blue Springs Creek at Cbamblees Mill, T11S RlW Sec. 20. 8 December 1991: A very pretty, clear stream, flowing out of the Blount Springs area. About 10 m wide, averaging about 0.5 m with deeper pools. Snails are remarkably abundant, seen on almost every rock. Should be good Stemothems depressus habitat, despite its relatively small size. Some silt in still water, but mostly bare bedrock and loose rock. Leaf beds contained silt. and crawftSh and aquatic insects were common. Surprisingly, no salamander larvae seen.

Sites visited but not sampkd in Blount County: Blue Springs Creek N of Mt. Tabor Church, TllS RlW Sec. 22, SW4. 8 December 1991: The stream here is too small to sample. Unsuitable for Necturus.

Blackburn Fork below Inland Lake, T14S RlE Sec. 5. 3 December 1991: Y• mile upstream of railroad trestle. The water here is flowing from Inland Lake less than 1 mile upstream, and is less turbid than at Ala. Hwy. 75 or downstream. Small size here (and possible low dissolved oxygen) may be limiting for Necturus, and conditions were not good for shocking or netting.

Locust Fork at Nectar, Tl2S R1W Sec. 27. 26 February 1991: Water too deep and swift for safe wading. Very sandy; might not be good habitat.

Locust Fork, TllS R3E Sec 6, NE4. 17 December 1991: Deep, no sign of leaf beds from the bridge, and houses are nearby on both sides. Decided to pass on this site. ~ puP_ ~ S,tJ ~;;rvs--- 10 .1 0 ~ CULLMAN COUN'IY / 1v 0 Ryan Creek at Co. Rd. 36, TIOS R3W Sec. 30. 10 December 1991: Stream is about 15 m wide here, averaging 0.5 m deep, and flowing over bedrock and boulders. Habitat appears very suitable for Nectums, but no nettable leaf beds were found (small leaf beds were found between rocks where they couldn't be sampled). Shoals with Justicia common. Water was more turbid than expected, but bottom silt was minimal. Would be worth checking farther downstream. Corbicula common.

0 Crooked Creek at Clarkson Covered Bridge (Co. Rd. 14), TIOS R4W Sec. 6. 16 December 1991: Picturesque covered bridge and mill here. Spent about 45 minutes netting upstream from the bridges (mostly at the mouth of the mill stream). Crooked Creek looks good for Nectums here, but the scarcity of leaf beds limited sampling. The stream is about 10-15 m wide, with many pools over 1 meter deep. Water is quite clear. Two plethodontid salamander larvae were collected from leaf beds. Corbicula and crawfish present. I would expect Necturus (and maybe even Stemothenzs depressus) here.

0 Blevens Creek at Co. Rd. 14, T9S R5W Sec. 29. 16 December 1991: Netted here for about 45 minutes before dark. Found no Necturus, but it looks like great habitat. and I still suspect they're present, perhaps in low densities. .1.Qu of plethodontid larvae. Ranid tadpoles, centrarchid ftSh, crawftSh, and insect larvae and nymphs were also fairly common in leaf beds. Stream has good permanent flow, is about 15 meters across, and has deep pools here and there. Leaf beds weren't common, and current is fairly swift in most places. Water remarkably clear. Good visibility to bottom in depths over a meter. Corbicula was conspicuously absent here. Bottom is predominantly silt and Black Warrior Wat.erdog Survey 1990-92 18

sand in many places, but probably is shallow over bedrock, which is exposed upstream from the bridge. Lots of large flat rocks on the bottom about loo-1.50 m upstream from bridge. Hemlock (Tsuga) is here. If Necturus isn't here, I think siltation could be a factor. This stretch of stream should be thoroughly surveyed.

( ~~ Pan Creek at Co. Rd. 28, northeast or Holly Pond, TIOS RlE Sec. 7. 18 December 1991: Stream is about 8 m wide, average depth about a foot, with a few deeper pools. Bare rock bottom (with crevices) in places, especially upstream, but the majority of the bottom is silted. No Corbicula seen. Large leaf beds where a tnbutary enters the stream below the old bridge. Ranid tadpoles and crawfish were collected, but no salamander larvae were seen.

(,\ Hurricane Creek about 2 ml N or confluence with Mulben-y Fork, T9S RlE Sec. 21. 18 December 1991: A nice-looking stream, superficially, but it's badly silted in. Upstream from the road, there's been a recent logging operation, and lots of treetops are in the stream. Saw only one or two Corbicula, and we could net only a few sites. About 15 m wide, 1 m deep, but some deep pools were too deep to get into with. our nets.

!) Hurricane Creek, T9S RlE Sec. 16. 18 December 1991: State Lands. About 10 m wide. One of the few large forested tracts remaining in this part of the county. Stream is still pretty badly silted in places. Some bare rock. Some flsh, crawfish present. Few leaf beds. No salamanders found.

Duck River at unmarked county road, T9S RlW Sec 32, NEY.c. 18 December 1991: About 15 m wide, a lot of bare rock on the bottom (broad smooth bedrock), but some silt is present. Limited leaf bed habitat. Found nothing much in leaf beds (not even crawfiSh), but Colbicula is present in small numbers.

Mulberry Fork and Duck River at Co. Rd. 47 bridge, TUS R2W Sec. 13. 18 December 1991: Both streams are wide and horribly silted. Found no leaf beds. Corbicula present, but not common. Mulberry Fork was about 1.5 m deep, and Duck River was about 1m deep. u Marriott Creek at Black Bottom, Ala. Hwy. 91, TI2S R3W Sec. 33. 19 December 1991: Stream is about 15 m wide. Ice in stream. Several leaf beds were found and sampled, but no crawftsh or Colbicula seen in the leaf beds (although ranid tadpoles were present). Some centrarchid and cyprinid fishes seen. Badly silted. Average depth about 0.5 m, with pools to over 1 m. Siltation is probably the reason for the depauperate fauna.

l' Dorsey Creek southeast or Arkadelphia, T13S R4W Sec 20, SE4. 19 December 1991: Stream is 10-12 m wide, averaging 1m deep. Heavily silted bottom, few leaf beds seen. No snails, crawfiSh, or Corbicula seen. We dip netted only one leaf bed, where a small trib joiTIS the stream from the east. No signs of life. This stream does not look like good habitat.

Sites visited but not sampkd in Cullman CounJy: Cabin Creek, T9S R1E Sec. 17. 18 December 1991: The stream flows through pasture, had cows in it, was sluggish, silted, and looked like a waste of time, so we passed it by.

Sullivan Creek near Mulberry Fork, T13S R4W Sec. 33. 19 December 1991: Looked too small (4-5 m wide) for Necturus . Did not sample.

Beckworth Branch, T9S R1E Sec. 29. 18 December 1991: Inspected visually from two crossings in Section 29, The stream doesn't appear to be big enough to support Necturus. It is less than 8 m wide, shallow, and badly silted. Feedlots and chicken houses drain into the stream, and no leaf beds visible from the road. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 199().92 19

Duck River at Co. Rd. 49, T10S R2W Sec. 25, NE4. 18 December 1991: Houses all around, difficult access. Decided not to sample here.

Duck River at Co. Rd. 38, TlOS R2W Sec. 36, NW4. so we did not sample. 18 December 1991: Looks really nice (riffles, rock), but access is extremely difficult,

Ryan Creek south of Grandview. TlOS R3W Sec. 31. access. From the 18 December 1991: As Mount said in his report on Stemothems, this site has difficult the stream. bridge, it appeared to be fairly deep and very turbid. Siltation could be adversely affecting

Crooked Creek north of Crane Hill, TllS R5W Sec. 3. only from the 10 December 1991: Difficult access. Some shoals, appears to have suitable habitat. Viewed bridge. Did not sample. ~ _·v: r 3 ~ -"'-· +vrJ=- ETOWAHCOUN1Y .,- fJo ~ Locust Fork north of Walnut Grove, T11S R3E Sec. 14, NE4. different character than 0 17 December 1991: Murphee Valley Road bridge. The Locust Fork here has a v~ry than a foot deep in has been observed elsewhere. It is broad (up to 15 m wide) and relatively shallow (less present. Crawfish many places), with a substrate composed primarily of gravel. Some deep pools. Corbicula severe in slower-moving and a few plethodontid salamander larvae collected from leaf beds. Siltation is most areas, absent in swifter sections. Relatively clear.

0 Locust Fork, TUS R3E Sec. 11. Three net 17 December 1991: The stream is narrow at this point (8 m), but still too deep for wading. insect larvae. The samples from a single leaf bed near the edge yielded one crawfish and some aquatic stream is surrounded by cow pastures here. Badly silted.

D Locust Fork southeast of Mt. Pisgah Church, TUS R3E Sec. 11. Siltation is bad here, 17 December 1991: The few leaf beds were deep, decomposing, and full of methane. present. but one plethodontid salamander larva was collected, along with a few ranid tadpoles. Corbicu/a

Sites visiWJ but not sampled in Etowah County: Locust Fork east of Walnut Grove, TllS R3E Sec. 25. for netting. 17 December 1991: No detectable current, water appears deep, greenish-blue. Not suitable

FAYETTE COUN1Y _3+0~JV 1:>-- Bluewater Creek and Little Bluewater Creek confluence, T16S R9W Sec. 13. 0 lots of GOOD leaf bed 4 February 1992. Area sampled was about 100 m south of the dirt road. 10 m wide, (1), habitat (not silted in). Loaded with salamander larvae, but no Necturus were seen. Eurycea present. Pseudotriton (2), and P/ethodon (several) were seen. Rana clantitans and R catesbeiana tadpoles and there was Found one fresh dead native mussel shell (Bluewater Creek just upstream from confluence), isn't present, no sign of Corbicula! Watershed seems to be in pretty good shape, lots of woods. If Nectunts stream size may be the only limiting factor. I'm still not convinced they're absent.

0 North River at Co. Rd. 30, TI6S RlOW Sec. 7. we sank several 4 Februalj' 1992. Stream width is 10-12 m wide, shallow (1 ft.). Heavily silted, so that bridge, high banks of inches when standing out in the middle (in places). On either side of the new concrete erosion into the dirt had been pushed up to the stream edge, and no attempt has been made to control trucks have dumped stream. Upstream from the bridge but where the road parallels the stream, cement alive seen, but excess concrete directly into the stream in 2 different places! Only a few leaf beds, nothing Probably was formerly some Corbicula shells seen. Some bare rock is still exposed, and riffles have Justicia. Black Warrior Waterdog Suney 1990-92 20 perfectly suited for nice habitat, but probably not inhabited by Necturus anymore. One of those few places here. electroshocking. A very large and deep pit mine is located just west of the stream

Clear Creek at Cleveland, south or Bays Lake, TI6S RllW Sec. l. 0 with a few deeper holes. 4 February 1m. Stream varies from 10 to 15 m wide, average depth about a foot might be good Necturu.r About 1.50 m upstream from the bridge there's a low dam, creating a large pool that 75 m upstream from habitat. This was the only stream where an abundance of native mussels was found. half as many Ccrbicu/a the bridge, a muskrat midden with about 15 fresh dead native mussel shells and about Only a few leaf beds, was found on a gravel bar. Bottom is mostly bare bedrock, but some silt near road. were about 40 deer legs with crawfish and plethodontid salamander larvae. Just downstream from the bridge significant site, at least for that bad been dumped, probably along with guts that have since washed away. A mussels, and should be revisited for waterdogs. Looks good.

Sita visited but not sampled in Fayette County: North River at Ala. Hwy 18, T16S RllW Sec. 26. it was too deep to wade. 4 February 1992. Wide and deep. Walked to edge, saw no leaf beds, and decided

North River at confluence with Cane Creek, Tl5S R10W Sec. 32. on one side, fence on 4 February 1992. Very deep, about 15 m across. Difficult access, with steep cliffs other, so didn't sample here.

Clear Creek at Bays Lake spillway, T16S RllW Sec. 2. but is natural again 4 February 1992. Stream was diverted from its original bed by the dam construction, like good Necturus habitat, about 200 m downstream. No leaf beds, but lots of rocky bottom habitat. Looks but just couldn't sample here. . ~~ 1~ fv_

Q Turkey Creek at Co. Rd. U9 SE of Morris, TISS R3W Sec.13. promising. We found few 16 December 1991: I had visited this spot briefly last winter and thought it looked enough to support leaf beds to sample here, and we moved on after about 15 minutes. Stream is big Necturus, and habitat (lots of rocks) seems OK.

\) Ward Creek at Co. Rd. 140, TISS R4W Sec. 2. by morning. This 15 January 1991: 11 traps were set overnight One crawfish, one Lepomis were captured habitat. There is some stream, although small (5 m wide), appears in all other ways to be good Necturus surrounding forest is OK. evidence of siltation. Pools are up to three feet deep. Bottom is largely rock, and

Crooked Creek at Co. Rd.l44, TI4S R3W Sec. 17. D but no Necturos 15 January 1991: Looked promising (lots of rock. nice adjacent woods). Set out 13 traps, Drummond Beltona were caught, only two crawfish. This site is immediately downstream from the big on January 15, rains Mine and is adjacent to the Partridge Sanitary Landfill. Although the creek was clear during the night severely muddied it by morning. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 21

Valley Creek at Co. Rd. 2.3 near Toadvine, Tl8S R6W Sec. 10. 0 15 January 1991: Very pretty, wide (25m) stream, about 0.75 m deep. Swift clear water flows over a mostly bedrock bottom Superficially looks like good habitat. Fifteen traps were set out overnight, but only one crawfish was caught. Corbicula present, but no fiSh were observed. This stream has had a long history of severe pollution.

Mud Creek, Co. Rd. 21, T18S R6W Sec. 19. D 15 January 1991: A pretty stream with bedrock bottom, rocky overhangs. Superficially looks like good habitat, reminding one (a little) of the Sipsey Fork at the hwy 33 bridge. Set out 15 traps, had 4 crawfish the next morning. One trap had been ripped open, presumably by a raccoon. 22 January 1992. Sampled several leaf beds, but found no invertebrates other than a few small Corbicula. No fish seen.· No snails seen here, although they were common in this stream 5 miles up at the town of Mud Creek. This stream is pretty, not vistbly degraded (water was remarkably clear), and has sufficient leaf bed and rock. ledge habitat. Absence of invertebrates (due to water quality?) could be the reason Necturus wasn't found. 0 Mud Creek at Mud Creek community, Tl9S R6W Sec. 10. 22 January 1992. Snails abundant. Water was deep in the vicinity of the bridge, and only one leaf bed could be sampled. Nothing found.

Sw visited but not sampkd in Jefferson County: Shoal Creek, T18S R7W Sec. 22 & 1:7. 22 January 1992. The stream is impounded here (backwaters of Bankhead Lake), and wading was impossible. Did not sample.

Short Creek at Co. Rd. 61, T17S R5W Sec. 18. 16 January 1991: Pea-green water, no detectable current. Looks like a dead stream. Very close to the Drummond Short Creek Prep Plant, and probably severely impacted by it. Did not sample.

Village Creek, TI16S R5W Sec. 22. 16 January 1991: The epitome of a messed-up stream. At this point the stream flows out of a strip mined area right into a nuclear power plant (Alabama Power Company's Miller Electric Generating Plant). Looked very bad, and I did not sample. . 0of.. _ ' VL? ~~(I)S .- 3 yv-~·() rJ~ MARSHALL COUNTY Clear Creek at Wesleys Chapel, TlOS RJE Sec. 25. D 17 December 1991: Stream about 10m wide here. Average depth about 0.25 m. Clear water. Rocky bottom, some silt. Corbicula, crawfiSh, and plethodontid salamander larvae collected from the one leaf bed sampled. Looks like it has potential, but leaf beds are scarce here, so we moved on after about 15 minutes.

Q Oear Creek, TlOS R3E Sec. 34, NE4. 17 December 1991: Easy access along side trail that parallels stream. About 8-10 m wide. Water very clear. Some deep pools (over 1m). One large but biologically depauperate leaf bed was found. Some Corbicula present. Only one crawfiSh seen. No plethodontid salamanders, and few insect larvae. Spent only about 15 minutes here. Extensive agricultural operations (chicken houses, cattle) are underway nearby and upstream. Suitability for Necturus is questionable at best.

() Slab Creek, T9S R3E Sec 33, NW4. 17 December 1991: Pretty, 10-12 m wide. Average depth about 50-75 m. Some deeper pools, some flat rocks upstream from bridge. Badly silted. Of the few leaf beds we found, all were choked with silt One plethodontid salamander larva, probably Pseudotriton, was collected from a leaf bed. Water clarity is fairly good, but slightly turbid. 22 Black Wanior Waterdog Survey 1990-92

Situ visiJed but not sampled in ManMll County: Slab Creek, TlOS R2E Sec. 12, NE4. U December 1991: About 15 m wide, superficially appears to have potential for Necturus. Access difficult here, so we decided to go on upstream.

Big Mud Creek, TlOS R3E Sec. 27, NE4. enough to 17 December 1991: Small (5-8 m wide). Observed from bridge only. Does not appear to be big have much flow during dry months, so we didn't sample here. vJ:h ~[)NrJ ~ TUSCALOOSA COUNTY /\ )--- ~~ vJ j Blue Creek, TI8S R9W Sec. 15. is 1.5 feet. 0 11 December 1991: A badly silted stream, about 10m wide, sand/gravel bottom. Average depth found. Spent 20 minutes netting, but leaf beds didn't look good, and no salamander larvae of any kind were Does not look like suitable Necturus habitat.

Big Yellow Creek, T17S R8W Sec. 17. 0 some 11 December 1991: Stream is about 10 m wide, averaging only a foot or so deep. Mostly clay bottom, beds, roclc. Clear water. Spent 45 minutes netting, no Necturus found. Crawfish and lampreys in leaf Corbicula present.

Yellow Creek, nos R9W Sec. 2. 12 December 1991: Collected one subadult striped Necturus with 30 minutes of netting effort. Water The temperature 13 C. The stream is about 10 m wide, averaging 1 foot deep. Bottom is entirely sand. waterdog was taken from a large leaf bed in a pool under about 2 feet of water. Water was remarkably clear. Crawfish and plethodontid larvae were found in the leaf beds.

V Yellow Creek, TI9S R9W Sec. 22. the 12 December 1991: The stream is very pretty here, flowing over bedrock, with mountain laurel along and banks. About 10m wide, 1 foot deep. Water remarkably clear. Plethodontid salamander larvae crawfish present in leaf beds, but no Nectums found. Limited leaf bed habitat.

North River, TI8S RlOW Sec. 16. foot below 12 December 1991: Two Necturus were collected from a single small leaf bed near the bank one . Leaf the surface. One striped (Black Warrior waterdog form), one unstriped (Alabama waterdog form) bed habitat was extremely limited, perhaps concentrating larvae. Stream is wide (25m) and of moderate is 10 depth (probably averaging 1m). Bottom is 70% bedrock, 30% sand/gravel. Water temperature degrees C. Crawfish also present. Spent 30 minutes sampling at this site.

t) Barbee Creek, nss RllW Sec. 26. bottom, 12 December 1991: Stream averages 10m wide, 0.5 m deep. Some bedrock, but mostly sand/gravel fauna in with a heavy covering of silt except where current was swifter. Appears degraded, with depauperate leaf beds. One pletbodontid salamander larva and one tadpole taken from leaf beds, crawflSh and Corbicu/a present.

Binton Creek, TI9S RllW Sec. 1. rock showing. [) 12 December 1991: Average width is 10 m, depth is 0.5 m. Bottom is heavily silted, with no Crawfish present in leaf beds, which are scarce. No salamanders found.

Carroll Cree~ nos RlOW Sec. 22. leaf bed 12 December 1991: One subadult Necturus alabamensis (about 4" total length) was collected from a and 0.25 at the bottom of a 1 m-deep pool 125 m downstream from the bridge. Stream averages 10 m wide half m deep, with deeper pools. Water temperature was 11 degrees C. Bottom is about half bedrock, sand/gravel. Water clarity was moderately turbid. Leaf bed habitat was very limited (few were found Black Warrior Waterdog Suney 1990-92 23

upstream from the bridge). CrawfiSh and plethodontid salamander larvae were also taken from leaf beds. 45 minutes spent at this site, but no additional Necturus were found.

Grant Creek at Ala. Hwy 43 Sec. 5 NW4. 21 January 1992. Narrow (5 m), silty bottom, few leaf beds. Very soft bottom made wading difficult Some crawfish & invertebrates taken from the leaves, but no salamanders. Also looked at two crossings downstream, but they looked even worse.

rt Lye Branch at unnamed paved road at Pearl, T24N R7E Sec. 5, r- 21 January 1992. Collected seven subadult Necturus, all the alabamensis type, from several leaf beds /!J 9f immediately upstream from the bridge and 50 m farther up. Water depths where Necturus were found l u \"'-t.J~ ranged from 1 m (at farthest point upstream) to only about 10 em just above the bridge. Also present in the ,.. \ ~ t 1 ~) leaves were Notropis, Aphredoderus, lchthyomyzon, and invertebrates. Stream width varies from 5 to 8 m; '~r.ic bottom is sandy/silty, with no rock visible. South of the Fall Line. All larvae were small, but two size uV classes were present: three were medium-sized (about 4 inches) and four were smaller (about 2.s inches). Since even smaller larvae were observed in the North River nine days earlier, these are presumed to possibly represent different age classes (2- and 3-year-olds). Three were collected, the others were released. No sampling was conducted downstream from the e bridge due to polluted water from dumped deer parts (legs, bides, guts) that were fouling the water downstream.

Uttle Sandy Creek at Uttle Sandy Church, T22S RSE Sec. 26. 21 January 1992. Stream is silt-bottomed, about 8 m wide. Average depth about 0.25 m. Almost no good leaf bed habitat was found; one small leaf bed contained crawfiSh and other inverts. Residential area; many houses around. Doesn't appear to be good habitat.

D Davis Creelc. at unnamed county road, T20S R7W Sec. 2. 22 January 1992. Stream is 15 m wide, about 0.75 m, pretty. Superficially looks like good waterdog habitat, with plenty of leaf beds, rocky substrate. Except for Corbicula, virtually no invertebrate life (only one caddisfly nymph) was detected. CrawfiSh were conspicuously absent from leaf beds, as were aquatic insects. A few fish were seen. Strip mining is occurring just upstream and is widespread in the watershed, and it appears as though this stream has been negatively affected.

Sites visited but not sampled in Tu.saJloosa County: Buck Creek at Ralph, T24N R3E Sec. 22. 21 January 1992. Viewed the stream from the bridge, decided not to sample. Access difficult, no leaf beds seen. About 5 m wide.

Big Sandy Creek at Ala. Hwy 82, T24N R7E Sec. 14. 21 January 1991: From the bridge, the stream a~peared too deep for wading. Did not sample here. ,o s-

() Lost Creek at Pleasant Grove, T14S R8W Sec. 27. 11 Qecember 1991: Pieces of coal and coal fines were observed in the creek. Average width is 15m, depth is 0.25 m. Bottom is sand/grave~ with some deeper pools. Several leaf beds were sampled, but plethodontid Black Wanior Waterdog Suney1990-92 24

salamander larvae and crawfiSh were conspicuously absent. Otherwise, the stream appears to be potential habitat.

Blackwater Creek at Ala. Hwy. 257, TI3S R7W Sec. 15. U 11 December 1991: Stream is about 20 m wide and 1 m deep, with deeper pools. Bottom is 80% rock. Water was slightly higher than normal at the time of visit, and few leaf beds could be found to sample. Three plethodontid larvae were found. Corbicula present.

/"" l Blackwater Creek, T13S R8W Sec 14. 3 February 1992. At 1-lane bridge, there's a small parking area. Main stream is about 15 m wide and very deep, so we sampled the small tributary, but leaf beds were heavily silted.

0 Brown's Creek, TUS R9W Sec. 10 or 11. 3 February 1992. Width varies from 5-10 m. Pools to 3-4ft. Mostly sandy or silty bottom, but bare rock in swifter water. Few leaf beds. Netted 2, found a few crawfiSh and a darter. No sign of Corbicula. Some fish seen.

Lost Creek north of Townley on Hwy U4 at Cedrum Mine, T14S R9W Sec 2. 4 February 1992. A mill dam is here, and downstream from the dam the habitat looks great. Broad ( > 25 m), lots of rock, fairly shallow (to 2 feet, with deeper pools). Rock bottom, with large flat rocks. Would be a great spot for electroshocking. Only one small leaf bed found, but no vertebrates or invertebrates seen in it. Looks like great Nectwus habitat, provided water quality isn't too bad (area is surrounded by strip mines). Would be worth coming back here with a shocker. 0 Wolf Creek, south of Beech Grove Church, T14S R9W Sec. 34. 4 February 1992. About 5 m wide, pea green. Found one small leaf bed in shallows, got 2 plethodontid larvae from it. Stream doesn't look very good for sampling.

Wolf Creek at Co. Rd. 173, Wolf Creek WMA, TI5S R9W, Sec. 15. 4 February 1992. About 8 m wide, about 1 foot deep with pools to 3-4 feet. Gravelly bottom with only moderate siltation. Corbicula and snails abundant. Netted several leaf beds. CrawfiSh abundant, but no salamander larvae seen. Water here has that pea green look, and visibility is limited to 2-2.5 feet.

0 Frost Creek, Co. Rd. 83, TI5S R9W Sec. 28. 4 February 1992. Smallish stream (4-5 m wide), about 0.5 foot deep. Corbicu/a is here, and we collected two native mussel shells. Lots of leaf beds, crawfiSh and other inverts (except snails) common. No snails seen.

l) Indian Creek, TI7S R8W Sec. 27. 11 December 1991: Average width 10m, about 0.25 deep. Mostly clay bottom, with some rock. Collected ranid tadpoles, crawfish and one plethodontid salamander larva taken from leaf beds. This stream could be too small for Necturus.

Sites visited but not sampled in Walku County: Lost Creek at Holly Grove, T14S R8W Sec. 7. 2 December 1991: Surrounded by reclaimed strip mines. Probably heavily impacted by runoff. Flowing brown with mud and silt.

Lost Creek north of Pocahontas, T13S R9W Sec. 29. 2 December 1991: An active strip mine is operating here, closing the north-south road from the Hwy 78 side. The road can be driven from the north to the bridge, which has been dismantled. A streamside strip of bottomland vegetation (beech, oak, etc.) has been left, but the stream here is no doubt getting heavy runoff from the adjacent mine. This is where Mount reported a ·common to abundanr population of Stemotherus depressus in 1980. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 25

Blackwater Creek south of Macedonia, T13S R8W Sec. 16. levels are 2 December 1991: Surrounded here by a wooded floodplain, this could be a nice spot when water lower and turbidity isn't so bad. A game cock farm is near the creek here.

Blackwater Creek at Mt. Hermon Church, T12S R8W Sec. 32. be potential 2 December 1991: As with all sites on Blackwater Creek visited on this day, there appears to for Nectwus, but it's too deep and/or muddy to see to net or shock.

Blackwater Creek east of Nauvoo, T12S R9W Sec. 24. 2 December 1991: Same as above.

Buck Creek at Lupton, T1.3S R8W Sec. 8. as 2 December 1991: We visited here in hopes of finding a clearer stream. It was almost as muddy Blackwater and Lost creeks, and width is perhaps limi~g. _ J. ~ )d-~W / ,;M-~v;I @~ WINSTON COUN'IY _,..- ~~ &-N '1 r? Sipsey Fork below, Ala. Hwy. 33 bridge, T9S RSW Sec. 34. gravel. Beautiful spot, with sheer rock cliffs. Bottom is about 40% bedrock and loose rock, 60% sand & Averages 20m wide, 1m deep. Large boulders scattered in stream. Water flows from the Sipsey three times: Wilderness, and runs much clearer than other streams of the area, especially after rains. Visited T7 November 1990: With Hank Bart. While shocking for Necturus, we observed an adult female flattened rock musk turtle (Stemotherus depressus) basking on a rock in shade about two feet back under a large a place! A overhang on which yet another federally listed species,. Alabama streak-sorus fern, grows. What was 22. very late date for depressus to be active. Water temperature was 18 degrees C, air temperature . Three Unseasonably warm. Four Necturus were collected by electroshocking between 1:00 and 2:00p.m were captured in the first 15 minutes, all under loose rocks well away from the banks. Hank preserved three. milky 27 February 1991: Intended to electroshock here, but water is too deep and turgid, with an almost nothing but bluish green appearance. Netted one leaf bed, got nothing. Set out 15 traps overnight, caught aren't one crawfish. Water dropped about 6 inches since the day before. Maybe this is why the waterdogs moving. put all 21 February 1991: Rains (some heavy) all day, into the night. Baited 23 traps with fresh cut worms, were 23 traps out. River rising, turbid, difficult to wade across. I came to the decision that If no waterdogs in the caught overnight, trapping should probably be abandoned. Water too murky to electroshock, except a waterdog. most shallow areas. Checked traps at 9:30 AM the next morning. Of 23 traps, one contained a T7 crawfish were caught in 23 traps (only five were empty). The trap with the waterdog also contained the crawfish, and that trap had been was placed on a leaf bed in relatively still water, about a foot below adult. A surface. While I went to the truck for the seine, Marisa netted leaf beds and turned up another the other few minutes later, we found a larva in another dipnet leaf sample. Released one adult, retained and the larva.

Sipsey Fork at Co. Rd. 60, T9S RSW Sec. 8. traps 26 November 1990: By 8:30 p.m. Hank Bart and I had set out 31 of Hank's Nalgene bottle Nectwus Seined (baited with chopped earthworms). Water temperature: 12 degrees C, air temperature: 18 degrees. 31 traps several leaf beds for larvae, found none. The next day, no Necturus were caught, but 18 of the and contained a single large crayftsh. One trap contained, in addition to a crayfiSh, one Etheostoma whipplei one Lepomis mega/otis. No other traps contained fJ.Sh.

Clear Cruk at Co. Rd. 4, TllS RSW Sec. 19. was 0 13 February 1991: Started to use shocker (borrowed from USFS), but heavy rains started. Visibility Got very limited by surface disturbance from the rain, but I spent about 20 minutes netting leaf beds. nothing. •

Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 26

Clear Creek at Co. Rd. 32, nos R9W Sec. 8. 22 November 1991: The stream here is no more than 10 m across, it was heavily silted, with a sand bottom. 0 We netted five leaf beds. No Necturus, but Corbicula was present, and crawfiSh and three plethodontid larvae were taken from the leaves.

Sandy Creek at Co. Rd. 2, nos R8W Sec. 11. Z7 February 1991: A nice surprise. 14m wide. Below the bridge it looks like good Necturus habitat (also D for St~rw tkpressus), with rocks, pretty sandstone bluffs, and a few deeper holes. There might even be Thelypteris on the bluffs, especially since it's only about 0.5 mile from the main Sipsey Fork. This would be a good place to revisit with the shocker when water levels drop more. Collected 2 very small larval plethodontid larvae from leaf beds, but no Necturus.

Brushy Creek just above Capsey Creek, T9S R7W Sec. 23. Z7 Febru;uy 1991: Got 2 small larval (unidentified) salamanders from leaf beds. Habitat looks OK. Sand and rock bottom. 10 December 1991: Water was too high and swift for wading, so no sampling was attempted.

Rush Creek at Forest Road 245, T9S R7W Sec. 10. 0 Z7 Febru;uy 1991: A beautiful stream with mostly bare rock bottom and rock bluffs downstream. Width is about 9 m . Looks good for Necturus (and Stemotherw tkpressus). Set out 15 traps overnight, caught only 2 crawfish (both in the same trap). Netted several leaf beds; got seven salamander larvae, but no Necturus. Four are Desmognathus and three are the fmely stippled type (Eurycea?) Lots of crawfiSh in the leaf beds..

Blevens Creek at Co. Rd. 39, nos R6W Sec. 11. 0 28 February 1991: Stream is 19 m wide at the bridge. Had problems getting the backpack shocker to work properly. Lots of rocks, some deep holes. A very pretty stream. Netted one well developed leaf bed (the only one I found), but got nothing. This stream looks like it should have Necturus. 10 December 1991: The stream was much higher and turbid than it was the previous February. We managed to net a single leaf bed where a small tributary comes into the stream just upstream from the bridge, and collected several plethodontid larvae. Bottom was mostly sand and silt. Didn't spend much time here since we couldn't do anything more. 0 Rock Creek at Co. Rd. 29, T9S R6W Sec. 35. 28 Febru;uy 1991: Another nice-looking stretch of stream. Netted the few leaf beds I could find; got only one Desmognathus larva.

D Inman Creek, T9S R6W Sec. 36. 10 December 1991: Water was only mildly turbid. Leaf beds were common, and yielded abundant plethodontid salamander larvae and crawfiSh. This stream can run low in summer months (10 m wide, 0.25 m deep), and habitat suitability for Necturus is questionable, but it looked good at the time of visit.

Blackwater Creek just west of Ashbank, T12S R9W Sec. 17. 0 3 F ebruary 1991: Varies from 5 to 10m wide, but pea green and of undetermined depth. Slow current (difficult to determine which way it's flowing). Tried netting in deep leaf beds just below the bridge, which were decomposing and smeUy. Teeming with crawfish and aquatic insects, but no salamanders found.

l) Splunge Creek, n1S R9W Sec. 32. 3 February 1991: Just north of Winston County Dragstrip. Maybe 10m wide, turbidity is higher than observed further downstream. Stream is very silty, but a few leaf beds are present. Netted one plethodontid larva, several crawfiSh. . No Corbicula or snails seen. Black Warrior Waterdog Survey 1990-92 27

Situ visitd but not sampled in W'uuton County: Capsey Creek at T9S R6W NWV" Sec. 18. 10 December 1991: Access is difficult here. We looked from the bridge and decided the water was too high and swift to adequately sample.

Splunge Creek at Hwy 17, TllS R10W Sec. 24. 3 February 1991: Very sluggish here (virtually no current), and very green water. Broad floodplain with water into trees. Did not sample.

Brown's Creek, south of Blue Springs cemetery, TllS R9W Sec. 28. 3 February 1992. About 8 m wide, no leaf beds seen on casual inspection. Doesn't look good. Walked bank but decided not to sample here.

Blackwater Creek near German Crossing, TllS R10W Sec 34. 3 February 1991: Very small, too little flow to likely support Necturus.

Rock Creek at Co. Rd. 80, T9S R6W Sec 26 and 23. 28 February 1991: Very high trestle bridge here; access to stream looks extremely difficult.