Seventh Annual Michigan Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Meeting

Saturday, March 14, 2015

AGENDA

9:30am -10:00am Registration & Pastry Breakfast 10:00am – Welcome and MIPARC Overview 10:15am Topic Speaker 10:20am- Patterns and Trends in the Population Dynamics of Wood Dr. Keith Berven, 10:50am Frogs Based on a 30 year Study in Southeastern Michigan PhD Restoration in a Historically Degraded Landscape: 10:50am- Revitalizing an Urban Shoreline to Create habitat for Maegan Stapleton 11:20am Amphibians and Reptiles Spatial aspects of movements and mating patterns 11:20am- Dr. Jeanette influence male reproductive success in Blanding's 11:50am McGuire, PhD turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) Afternoon Ceremony: Honoring the Contributions of 11:50am- Pete Wilson Jim Harding to Michigan’s Amphibian and Reptile 12:20pm David Mifsud Conservation and Education 12:20pm-1:50pm LUNCH (provided) and Explore the Zoo! Topic Speaker Hellbender Salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) 1:50pm-2:20pm Dr. Sally Nofs, DVM Reproductive Research for Conservation Spatial Distribution and Genetic Assessment of the David Mifsud 2:20pm-2:50pm Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Along the Huron-Erie Amber Stedman Corridor: Conservation Through Collaboration 2:50pm – 3:00pm BREAK River cruising for Wood Turtles: Paddle surveys for 3:00-pm –3:30pm Dr. Jason Folt, MD Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the MDNR Frog and 3:30pm –4:00pm Lori Sargent Toad Monitoring Program 4:00pm-4:30pm Announcements 4:30pm Wrap-up 4:30pm -6:00pm MIPARC Social - Pizza “Pi”, Poster Presentations, and Celebration Cake

1 | P a g e

Presentations

Patterns and Trends in the Population Dynamics of Wood Frogs Based on a 30-yr Study in Southeastern Michigan ¹KEITH A. BERVEN ([email protected]) ¹Oakland University

Many amphibians have a biphasic lifecycle that includes an aquatic larval stage followed by a terrestrial juvenile and adult stage. Biotic and abiotic factors affecting vital rates in each phase are important to population dynamics. In addition, factors that affect larval characteristics may carryover and affect vital rates in terrestrial stage. Recent research suggests that anthropogenic changes in forest plant communities may also affect larval and terrestrial vital rates. Here I summarize the aquatic vital rates, including embryonic and larval survival, mass and time to metamorphosis, and terrestrial vital rates, including juvenile and adult survival, age and size at first reproduction and reproductive characteristics based on a 30-yr study of wood frogs from a population in southeastern Michigan. I will also discuss the factors, both biotic and abiotic, and anthropogenic that affect the population dynamics of wood frogs. Finally, I will draw some observations, based on this study, that address the long term conservation and management of wood frogs and other amphibians that use temporary ponds for reproduction.

Restoration in a Historically Degraded Landscape: Revitalizing an Urban Shoreline to Create habitat for Amphibians and Reptiles ¹MAEGAN M. STAPLETON ([email protected]) ¹Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC

Historical uses of the St. Clair River have left its riparian communities severely impacted with limited wildlife habitat resulting in an Area of Concern designation. Since 2011, HRM has conducted wildlife monitoring and assisted in habitat restoration within a portion of the Upper St. Clair River in Port Huron, Michigan. Over 4,300 linear feet of shoreline including several community types were restored and habitat targeting sensitive and imperiled herpetofauna was created which benefited several taxa. In addition to providing habitat and increasing the ecological function of this degraded landscape, the project also provided the community with much needed opportunities to observe and enjoy nature in an otherwise urban landscape. The presentation will describe this novel work while highlighting methods used, habitats created, monitoring results, and future opportunities.

Spatial aspects of movements and mating patterns influence male reproductive success in Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) ¹DR. JEANETTE MCGUIRE ([email protected]), JUSTIN CONGDON, KIM SCRIBNER, OWEN KINNEY ¹Michigan State University

Long-distance movements of adult Blanding's turtles can influence the individuals encountered, placement of nests, recruitment of offspring into residence wetlands, and reproductive success, which can all affect spatial genetic structuring and maintenance of genetic diversity. A combination of 33 years of data on the life history and spatial biology of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) on the E.S. George Reserve (ESGR) in Michigan and eight years of genetic data (N = 723 hatchlings from 92 nests of 54 females) were used to document residence wetlands, identify mating pairs, estimate cohort levels of coancestry and degree of spatial genetic structuring, and document the relative influence of mate number and quality on male RS. For ESGR resident females, 34% of clutches were sired by non-resident males, whereas 56% of clutches of non-resident 2 | P a g e females that nested on the ESGR were sired by ESGR resident males. Multiple paternity of clutches was common (average = 41.6%; N = 77), variable among years (min-max = 15.4-55.6%), and was positively associated with female age, body size, and clutch size. Repeat paternity was observed in 69.9% of sequential clutches of the same female separated by 1-7 years. Male RS was variable (1-40 offspring) and positively associated with the number of mates and clutches sired. Adult movements can increase mate number by moving to areas of more favorable sex ratios, and males that are able to identify high-quality females have the potential to substantially increase their RS through a combination of high clutch frequency and repeat paternity. The probability of adults mating with individuals from different residence wetlands and tendencies for hatchlings to disperse to wetlands other than their mother’s residence contributed to demographic and genetic connectivity among residence wetlands, and reducing spatial genetic structuring (Fst = 0.002, P > 0.05). Our results highlight the importance of using multiple sources of data including information on mating patterns, individual movements, and core habitat use to identify mechanisms that influence genetic structuring.

Hellbender Salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) Reproductive Research for Conservation ¹DR. SALLY A. NOFS ([email protected]) ¹Potter Park Zoo Hellbender Salamanders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) are unique amphibians in North America. The relatively diminutive hellbender shares the Cryptobranchidae family only with the Chinese Giant Salamander and Japanese Giant Salamander. Until very recently hellbender salamanders had not been successfully bred in captivity. For this reason research on various aspects of hellbender reproduction became a focus of several programs in the US. This presentation will briefly review hellbender conservation and recent research on hellbender reproduction. The focus will be on an overview of work the author was involved in with updates on some of the recent successes in this field. Some interesting highlights of the Giant Salamander Conservation meeting tours of Chinese Giant Salamander breeding facilities in Xi’an, China will also be shared.

Spatial Distribution and Genetic Assessment of the Mudpuppy Along the Huron-Erie Corridor: Conservation Through Collaboration DAVID A. MIFSUD ([email protected]) AMBER STEDMAN ([email protected]) ¹ Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC ² Eastern Michigan University

The Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) serves a critical role in the Great Lakes region as an environmental health indicator as well as the obligate host to the State Endangered Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua). Populations have declined throughout the state in recent years likely due to multiple factors including habitat degradation and loss, invasive species, chemical application, and persecution and collection. Numerous data gaps exist for this fully aquatic salamander in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Given their significant declines and ecological importance this project will evaluate the distribution, health, and genetic structure of Mudpuppies along the Huron-Erie Corridor (HEC) and to restore Mudpuppy habitat benefiting a variety other species as well. This study includes several methods for assessing Mudpuppies including the use of population genetics, environmental DNA (eDNA), spatial analysis, population demography, and population viability analysis. This work is applicable throughout species range making this work an important step in the future conservation of Mudpuppy throughout the Great Lakes region and the U.S. Partnership and support of over 15 difference agencies and organizations is critical in achieving these research and conservation objectives.

3 | P a g e

River-cruising Wood Turtles: Paddle Surveys For Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) And Other Riverine Turtles In Michigan ¹JASON FOLT, ([email protected]), ²BRIAN FOLT ¹Henry Ford Hospital ²Auburn University

The Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is thought to be declining through its range in Michigan, likely due to human pressures. In an effort to monitor the occupancy of G. insculpta in known river drainages and to expand our knowledge of areas with few or no documented records, we began an observational study of riverine turtles in Michigan. From 2009–2014, we conducted 28 visual encounter surveys for G. insulpta and other riverine turtles by traveling down rivers using canoes and kayaks. This method enables a time effective manner to survey large areas of suitable habitat for turtle species, similar to road survey methods for other herpetofauna. Turtles were observed with the naked eye or binoculars while they bask on suitable structures or swim in the river channel. Attempts were made to photograph each individual without disturbance. To date, we observed 59 wood turtles in 16 rivers. We also observed 203 Graptemys geographica, 20 Chrystemys picta, 12 Chelydra serpentina, 6 Emydoidea blandingii, and 1 Apalone spinifera. Future efforts will continue to survey distribution gaps and different sections of rivers. In the process of identifying new populations, confirming the viability of historical populations, and providing activity data, these results have important management and conservation implications.

4 | P a g e

Poster Presentations

Predicting Hatching Success in Eastern Box Turtles Across Habitat Types 1 ANTHONY BEALS, ²TRACEY SWEM, ALICIA IHNKEN 1Michigan State University, ²Michigan Department of Natural Resources

In Michigan, eastern box turtles are considered a species of special concern. Due to their status it is imperative to minimize human impacts to hatching success by developing specific guidelines to promote future growth trends. In our previous field season, hatching success was observed to be extremely low in the corn field. One of our hypotheses was that corn fields act as sinks for hatchlings. As there are two crops at the park, we wanted to determine if there were differences between the corn and soybean plots. This project evaluated potential hatching success across nesting habitat types by interpolating temperatures across a spatial gradient. We placed 19 temperature sensors at soil depths consistent with eastern box turtle nests in 5 different nesting habitat types consisting of a gravel pit, corn and soybean fields, big blue stem dominated prairie, and a species diverse remnant prairie. These sensors temporally mimicked the natural nesting season at our field site. These sites were in previously known or suspected nesting areas based on data from a subset of radio- tracked female eastern box turtles. Using nest incubation temperature, vegetation structure, vegetation composition, and soil moisture we evaluate the effects of habitat type on hatching success to assess potential recruitment vulnerabilities across habitat types. The gathered data can be used to develop habitat management guidelines by state and federal wildlife management organizations.

Frequency of Ploidy Elevation and its Impact on Egg Development of Unisexual Ambystoma Salamanders ¹MARISA C. HILDEBRANDT and ¹DR. KATHERINE R. GREENWALD ¹Eastern Michigan University

Unisexual (all female) Ambystoma salamanders have a unique mode of reproduction known as kleptogenesis in which they “steal” sperm from males of a sexually reproducing species (e.g., the Blue-Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma laterale). The sperm stimulates division of the oocyte, but its genome does not necessarily have to be incorporated into the developing zygote. If the sperm is not utilized beyond activating the oocyte, the eggs that are laid are gynogenetic: genetic clones of the maternal salamander. Offspring are not always produced clonally, however. If the genome of the male is added to the full maternal complement, a process known as ploidy elevation occurs. This study was designed to first analyze genetic information to compare numbers of gynogenetic to ploidy elevated eggs represented in the eggs from unisexual salamanders at our study sites in Michigan. There were two major goals for the analysis. First, for the eggs produced by females who were given access to males, we compared egg DNA to that of the parents and determine whether or not the paternal genome was added. The second goal was to assess developmental stages (Harrison, 1969) for a subset of the eggs and determine whether gynogenetic or ploidy-elevated eggs develop more successfully. Very little research has been done in this area, and knowledge of the differential success of gynogenetic versus ploidy elevated individuals goes a long way in advancing our knowledge and understanding of this unique and unusual method of reproduction.

5 | P a g e

Evaluating the Status of Michigan’s Red-eared Slider: A Genetic Approach ¹PATRICK J. TERRY and ¹DR. KATHERINE R. GREENWALD ¹Eastern Michigan University

The origin of Michigan's red-eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans, has been a contentious issue since the species was first recorded in Michigan in 1943. Fossil records in Michigan and Wisconsin and the close proximity of Michigan to the species' currently defined native range support the possibility that the turtle expanded into the region naturally with the warming mid-Holocene climate. Conversely, the turtle's popularity in the pet trade, beginning in the 1930s, suggests a human-mediated introduction as a strong possibility. To evaluate these two hypotheses, we assessed population genetic structure of T. s. elegans in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana using 6 microsatellite DNA markers. Overall analysis showed low-to-moderate levels of differentiation among populations, with no pattern of isolation by distance. Interestingly, the highest pair-wise differentiation was between the two Michigan localities (Huron River and Rouge River). Taken together, these results suggest that Michigan’s populations may have variable ancestry; at least some genetic contribution from the pet trade appears highly likely, especially within the Huron River.

Mother Knows Best: Nest Site Selection and Neonate Survival of Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) in Northern Michigan. 1JOSEPH ALTOBELLI, 1PATRICK B. LAARMAN, 1Dr. JENNIFER MOORE 1Grand Valley State University

Climate change influences not only patterns of speciation and extinction within taxonomic groups, but also affects the phenology, demography, and habitat selection of organisms worldwide. Due to their sensitivity to environmental conditions, turtles are experiencing a global decline in population numbers. We will examine the factors that determine nest selection by female eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) and model the environmental factors that affect nest fate of eastern box turtles in northern Michigan. Using radio telemetry, we will track neonates during their first year of life to construct known fates models to estimate annual survivorship. Preliminary results show low nest success and low neonate survival. We predict that survival will increase with age and will be dependent upon temperatures during overwintering. The results of this study will aid in forming more efficient management strategies for box turtle conservation and similarly susceptible ectothermic species worldwide.

The Captive Husbandry of the Crawfish Frog, Lithobates areolatus 1MARCY SIEGGREEN, 1REBECCA JOHNSON 1Detroit Zoological Society (DZS)

The IUCN describes the crawfish frog as a “near threatened” species with both a population trend that is decreasing and significant enough habitat loss over most of its range to qualify it as “vulnerable” in the near future. Although uncommon as an amphibian species Zoos and Aquariums devote conservation efforts to, the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) felt the decline of this amphibian needed immediate intervention. In 2009, the DZS began a collaborative partnership with Michael Lannoo at Indiana State University to increase the species population in the wild. In 2013 and 2014, DZS began the captive rearing of tadpoles for this head start and repatriation project. In two years time, these efforts have successfully increased the survivorship of the wild crawfish frog in Indiana.

6 | P a g e

Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Assessment and Habitat Restoration along the Huron-Erie Corridor: Conservation of the Obligate Host for the Endangered Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua) 1AMANDA BRYANT, 1MEGAN ENGLISH, 2DR. KATERINE R. GREENWALD, 3RICHARD KIK IV, 2DANA LEIGH, 1DAVID MIFSUD, 1MAEGAN STAPLETON, 2AMBER STEDMAN, 1SEAN ZERA 1Herpetological Resource and Management, 2Eastern Michigan University, 3Belle Isle Aquarium

Michigan’s largest salamander, the Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) plays an important role in local ecosystems as an environmental indicator and obligate host to the State Endangered Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua). Historically abundant throughout the Great Lakes region, this fully aquatic species has declined in recent years including mass die-offs in portions of the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie. Factors known to contribute to the reduced population levels include habitat degradation and loss, the alteration of aquatic communities by invasive species, and toxic algal blooms from excessive nutrient loading. Additionally, Mudpuppies are negatively affected by the application of lampricide chemicals which are known to cause large scale morality among local populations. This project aims to assess the current status of Mudpuppies along the Huron - Erie Corridor (HEC). The multifaceted study includes baseline field assessments, health screening, tissue and opportunistic whole animal archiving for future work, DNA and populations analysis, spatial analysis, and habitat restoration. This work will provide critical data that is currently unknown along approximately 100 miles of Great Lakes habitat and significant connecting waters. Funds for this project are provided through the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act.

7 | P a g e

GENERAL INFORMATION, DATES, AND WEBSITES

If you have or know of a herp conservation related training, survey, educational opportunity, management meeting, or other event that you think would be of interest to the attendees of the meeting, please let us know at the registration desk and we can post the info during the breaks.

Websites and Information on PARC/MWPARC/MIPARC:

PARC: http://parcplace.org Priya Nanjappa Mitchell, State Coordinator, [email protected]

MWPARC: http://www.mwparc.org Erica Hoaglund, [email protected] and Katy Greenwald [email protected]

MIPARC: http://www.MIPARC.org David Mifsud ([email protected])

Michigan Herp Atlas:

http://www.MIHERPATLAS.org Contact Lori Sargent ([email protected]) or David Mifsud ([email protected])

MDNR Frog and Toad Call Survey: **Celebrating 20 Years of Great Conservation**

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12143_12194-30586--,00.html Contact Lori Sargent for more information [email protected]

Upcoming Events of Interest to Herpers:

20th Annual DNR Frog & Toad Survey CONTACT: Lori Sargent, 517-284-6216 or Holly Vaughn, 248-359-9062

Frogwatch at the Detroit Zoo in the Ford Education Building February 8th 12:00- 4:00pm February 12th 5:00- 9:00pm February 28th 9am- 1pm March 26th 5:00- 9:00pm Rebecca Johnson ([email protected]) for more information.

March 8th – City of Ann Arbor Salamander Survey Program Kick-off 12-2pm Frog and Toad Survey Program Kick-off 2:30-5pm Gallup Canoe Livery, Eli Gallup Meeting Room, 3000 Fuller Rd. Register by March 5th: [email protected] (734)-794-6627

8 | P a g e

March 14th & 15th - North American Reptile Breeders Conference Tinley Park, Illinois

March 19th -Michigan Wetland Association Spring Meeting 9am-5pm Lyon Oaks County Park, Wixom Register online: http://www.miwetlands.org/

Herpathon™ April 11th 10am- 4pm Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossings 8240 West Olive Road, West Olive 49460 (Preregistration is Required: http://www.stewardshipnetwork.net/herpathon%E2%84%A2)

May 16th (Time TBA) Port Sheldon Natural Area 160th Avenue, West Olive, MI 4946 For more information contact Dave Mifsud ([email protected])

Ann Arbor Turtle Stewards Meeting 2015 TBA (734)-794-6627 [email protected]

July 15th – 19th - 2015 Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Grand Sierra Resort and Casino Reno, Neveda http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/jointmeeting/

30th July – 3rd August - Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Kansas Union Center, University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas http://ssarherps.org/

MWPARC Annual Meeting TBA http://www.mwparc.org/

6 – 9th August Turtle Survival Alliance 13th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Tucson, Arizona http://www.turtlesurvival.org/

August 21st – 23rd – National Reptile Breeders’ Expo Daytona, Florida

September 3-4 – Michigan Wetland Association Training Workshop: Herpetofauna of Michigan Wetlands 8:30am – 4:30pm Chelsea, Michigan

9 | P a g e