2017 Hellbender Symposium Agenda
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, Mississippi June 19-21, 2017
Page 1 Artwork for the symposium logo was kindly provided by the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science’s in-house artist, Sam Beibers.
You are welcome to use this illustration as long as it is not used for resale in any capacity. Please credit its use with the following: "Illustration: Sam Beibers".
IF you need illustrations for any of your own projects, you may contact Sam at 601-826-9256 or [email protected].
In this illustration, Sam Beibers wanted to take a "color challenged" animal in situ and push those colors brighter than they normally would be. "I wanted the hellbender to have something of a regal look. Afterall, they are 'superstars' to many of us in the scientific community."
The final illustration was painted in watercolor on thin, clay-coated bristol board. As the paint dries on a smooth surface that is not very porous, the paint tends to "sit" on the surface instead of soaking in. Therefore it often dries in visible puddles. Pencil was used to add some detail and emphasize some areas of shade.
Beibers grew up in rural northwest Mississippi. Like most boys, he enjoyed catching tadpoles, building huts, and swinging on grapevines. After one miserable year of wildlife biology studies at junior college, he changed his major to art and has since gone on to paint and draw hundreds of flora and fauna illustrations, as well as landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits. He received his MA at Mississippi College.
Page 2 The following sponsors (and/or representatives from these institutions) helped make this symposium a success. We are truly grateful for their support and for their contribution to hellbender conservation.
Mr. Timothy Fedele
THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTER
Page 3 All scheduled events are at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, except for the opening event which will be held at Sal and Mookie’s.
2148 Riverside Drive 2375 N. State Street Jackson, MS 39202 Jackson, MS 39202 601-576-6000 565 Taylor Street Parking and admission at MMNS is 601-948-8650 Jackson, MS 39216 FREE for Symposium attendees. 601-576-6000 Please be sure to let the gatehouse know you are here for the symposium.
Please be cautious of pot holes and uneven pavement while driving in the Jackson metro area, ESPECIALLY along Riverside Drive which connects the Museum to lodging.
Page 4 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, Mississippi June 19-21, 2017 ○ Optional field trip: June 22
Monday—June 19 3:00–5:00pm “Early” sign in @ Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS)
SAL AND MOOKIE’S, 565 TAYLOR STREET, JACKSON MS 39216 : 6:00pm Doors open 6:15pm Opening Remarks—Sheena Feist, MS Museum of Natural Science followed by dinner, beer, dessert (provided) 7:30pm Welcome Address—Thomas Floyd, GA Dept. Natural Resources 8:00–9:00pm Social with opportunity for open mic—funny field stories, hellbender videos, etc.
Tuesday—June 20 8:00am Museum grounds open, “late” sign in 8:30am Keynote Address—Paul Hime, University of Kentucky 9:30am Round table/open mic discussion 10:30am Break—snacks provided 10:45am State Updates 11:45am Talks 12:30–2:30pm Lunch break (on your own)—see food suggestions on next page 2:30pm Talks 4:45–6:00pm Free time (opportunity for break out sessions) 5:30pm Poster set-up 6:00pm Dinner provided @ MMNS, Mama Hamil’s southern cuisine (BYOB) 6:45–7:30pm Poster Session 7:30–8:30pm Business meeting, including 2019 Symposium planning
Wednesday—June 21 8:00am Museum grounds open 8:30am Talks 10:30am Break—snacks provided 10:45am Talks 11:30am Best presentation winners announced, including photos 12:00pm Closing, final remarks 12:30pm Adjourn 1:00pm Field trip instructions—Jim Godwin, Auburn Natural Heritage Program
Thursday—June 22 Optional: Alabama field survey Page 5 George’s Museum Cafe—1150 Lakeland Dr Southern plate lunches, cafeteria style
NAME—ADDRESS (TYPE) ALL OPTIONS ARE WITHIN 3 MILES OF THE MUSEUM Aladdin’s—1150 Lakeland Dr (Mediterranean) Surin—3000 Old Canton Rd (Thai) High Noon Café—2807 Old Canton Rd (Vegetarian) Brent’s Soda Fountain—655 Duling Ave (Diner, made famous by “The Help”) Babalu—622 Duling Ave (Tapas & Tacos) Saltine Oyster Bar—622 Duling Ave (Seafood) Pig & Pint—3139 N State St (BBQ) Rooster’s—2906 N State St (Burger joint) Quiznos—2945 Old Canton Rd (Sandwich chain)
Museum grounds 2148 Riverside Dr A BIT FURTHER NORTH (AND NOT SHOWN ON THIS MAP): NAME—ADDRESS (TYPE) APPROX DISTANCE FROM MUSEUM IF YOU PREFER TO STAY ON SITE, Spice Avenue—4711 I-55 N (Indian buffet) 3.5 miles JIMMY JOHN’S DELIVERS: Broad Street—4465 I-55 N #101 (bakery and cafe) 3.5 miles 601-352-1010 Page 6 Newks—4450 I-55 N (Sandwiches, salads, soups) 4.5 miles ALL EVENTS ARE AT THE MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE (MMNS) @ 2148 RIVERSIDE DR., EXCEPT FOR THE OPENING EVENT WHICH WILL BE HELD AT SAL AND MOOKIE’S @ 565 TAYLOR ST.
Monday—June 19 3:00–5:00pm “Early” sign in @ MMNS
SAL AND MOOKIE’S 565 TAYLOR STREET, JACKSON MS 39216: 6:00pm Opening Remarks—Sheena Feist, MS Museum of Natural Science followed by dinner, beer, dessert @ Sal and Mookie’s
7:30pm Welcome Address—Thomas Floyd, GA Dept. Natural Resources
8:00–9:00pm Social /ice breaker with opportunity to share funny field stories, hellbender videos, etc.
Tuesday—June 20 8:00am Museum grounds open, “late” sign in
8:30am Keynote Address—Genomic Perspectives on the Biology and Evolutionary History of Cryptobranchid Salamanders
PAUL HIME, UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
9:30am Round table/open mic discussion
10:30am Break—snacks provided
10:45am State Updates
Moderator: JEFF HUMPHRIES 11:45am Filling Knowledge Gaps in Hellbender Distribution through Broad-scale Environmental DNA (eDNA) Surveys
KIMBERLY A. TERRELL
12:00pm The Use of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) and Environmental DNA to Evaluate the Distribution of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) in Tennessee
JERONIMO GOMES DA SILVA NETO
12:15am Investigating the Status of a Declining Amphibian within a Large Protected Area: Hellbenders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
MICHAEL FREAKE
12:30–2:30pm Lunch break (on your own) Page 7 Please see previous page for suggestions on local food spots Moderator: STEPHEN SPEAR 2:30pm Proactive private lands conservation for eastern hellbenders
CHRISTIAN HUNT
2:45pm Associations between immunogenetics and cutaneous microbial community composition in two subspecies of giant salamanders
OBED HERNÁNDEZ-GÓMEZ
3:00pm Analysis of hellbender skin secretions in Tennessee and Arkansas populations
REBECCA H. HARDMAN
3:15pm Efficacy of artificial shelter arrays as a monitoring tool for hellbenders
CATHERINE M. BODINOF JACHOWSKI
Moderator: JEN LAMB 3:30pm “What’s the draw: Illustrating the impacts of cartoons versus photographs on attitudes and behavioral intentions for wildlife conservation”
BRIANNA L. OSINSKI
3:45pm When Should we Survey the Japanese Giant Salamanders (Andrias japonicus)?
YUKI TAGUCHI
4:00pm Sex Determination in the Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) by Ultrasonography
YUKI TAGUCHI
4:15pm Movement and Habitat Use in Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Following Population Augmentation
EMILY B. MCCALLEN
4:30pm Current Advances in Eastern Hellbender Captive Rearing: The Value of Environmental Conditioning on Swim Performance
ERIN K. KENISON
4:45–6:00pm Free time (opportunity for break out sessions)
Page 8 5:30pm Poster set-up
6:00pm Dinner provided @ MMNS (BYOB)
6:45–7:30pm Poster Session
7:30–8:30pm Business meeting, including 2019 Symposium planning
Wednesday—June 21 8:00am Museum grounds open
Moderator: KIMBERLY TERRELL 8:30am Preliminary Results of the North Carolina Hellbender Survey
JOHN D. GROVES
8:45am Occupancy Modeling of Larval Eastern Hellbenders in North Carolina
SHEM UNGER
9:00am Population Structure and Stability, and Individual and Population Health for Two Eastern Hellbender Meta-populations in a Tributary of the Susquehanna River
PETER J. PETOKAS
9:15am Quantitative Protocols for Assessing Hellbender Abundance and In- stream Habitat: The Need for Standardized Techniques
M. WORTH PUGH
Moderator: MICHAEL OGLE 9:30am Invasion from Hell(benders!)
BRYAN PLIS
9:45am Hellbender Aggression
MAX A. NICKERSON
10:00am The Continued Development of Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a Monitoring Tool for Giant Salamanders in the Eastern United States
STEPHEN SPEAR
10:15am Eastern Hellbender, Mudpuppy, and Black Warrior Waterdog in Alabama
JAMES GODWIN Page 9 10:30am Break—snacks provided
Moderator: SHEENA FEIST 10:45am Population Structure of the Gulf Coast Waterdog (Necturus beyeri)
JENNIFER LAMB
11:00am Co-occurrence and Hybridization Between Necturus maculosus and a Potentially Undescribed Species in the Southern Appalachians
STEPHEN K. NELSON
11:15am Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Not Common in Southern Appalachian Streams
KIRSTEN A. HECHT
11:30am Best presentation winners announced, including photos
12:00pm Closing, final remarks
12:30pm Adjourn
1:00pm Field trip instructions—Jim Godwin, Auburn Natural Heritage Program
Thursday—June 22 Alabama field survey
Page 10
Genomic Perspectives on the Biology and Evolutionary History of Cryptobranchid Salamanders Paul Hime University of Kentucky
The past decade has witnessed remarkable progress in understanding and conserving hellbenders across their range. Yet, several aspects of hellbender biology and evolutionary history have remained murky. The recent advent of genome sequencing approaches in non-model organisms has opened up new prospects for addressing important basic and applied questions. Here I describe results from two collaborative projects aimed at understanding the mechanisms of sex determination in cryptobranchid salamanders, and at reconstructing the population genetic, demographic, and phylogenetic history of Cryptobranchus across its broad (and shrinking) geographic distribution. Comparative genomic work has led to the development of a broadly effective PCR-based genetic sex assay for Cryptobranchus and Andrias. Separately, phylogenomic analyses of 194 individual hellbenders in 14 states have revealed extensive population genetic differentiation within and between major watersheds and suggest the presence of multiple, deeply divergent, reproductively isolated lineages of hellbenders. Do these different lineages of hellbenders actually represent distinct species? The answers to this question may inform our understanding of Cryptobranchus across its range, and may have direct implications for in situ and ex situ conservation of hellbenders at local and regional scales. Despite these (and other) recent advances in using genomic tools to understand hellbenders, it is important to critically assess the knowledge/conservation disconnect, and identify how (and whether) these inferences can be translated into actionable conservation strategies. A roundtable discussion of potential species boundaries in Cryptobranchus (as well as other related issues) will follow, and input and feedback from the hellbender community are welcomed and encouraged.
(in presentation order)
Filling Knowledge Gaps in Hellbender Distribution through Broad-Scale Environmental DNA (eDNA) Surveys Kimberly A. Terrell1*, Amy M. McMillan2, Eric Chapman3, Robin Foster4, Joe Greathouse5, John D. Kleopfer6, Edward Thompson7, Dan Feller7, Andrew Adams8 1Department of Research and Conservation, Memphis Zoo; 2Deptartment of Biology, Buffalo State College; 3Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; 4Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, University at Buffalo, 5Oglebay Zoo; 6Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; 7Maryland Department of Natural Resources; 8Susquehannock Wildlife Society The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is considered a Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA) and is currently being evaluated for federal listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, yet there remain substantial data gaps in the species’ distribution and status. Our objective was to better document
Page 11 hellbender distribution using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling. We collected eDNA samples from 200 sites across the northeast region (NY, PA, MD, WV and VA) during 2014 and 2015 (Jul 15 – Oct 15). Hellbender eDNA was detected at eight of nine sites (89%) with recent observations and 25 of 51 sites (49%) with historic records of the species. Additionally, we detected eDNA at five sites with anecdotal records and 34 sites with no previous records of hellbenders. Rock-turning surveys detected hellbenders at only one of 43 eDNA-negative sites, suggesting a low incidence (2.3%) of false negatives. Rock-turning surveys confirmed the species at 11 of 34 eDNA-positive sites. The remaining 23 sites may represent low-density or upstream populations. This project engaged 54 students and 51 citizen scientists in hellbender conservation, with 2,449 hours of volunteer effort contributed to sample collection/analysis. Our frozen eDNA samples provide ‘snapshots’ of biological communities and represent a valuable resource for future inventory and monitoring of native fauna, introduced species, and aquatic pathogens. Through NEAFWA support, we have increased knowledge of hellbender distribution, engaged the public in conservation, and produced tangible resources to benefit wildlife in the northeastern United States.
The Use of Species Distribution Models (SDMs) and Environmental DNA to Evaluate the Distribution of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) in Tennessee, U.S.A. Jeronimo Gomes Da Silva Neto1*, William Sutton1, Stephen Spear2, and Michael Freake3
1Tennessee State University; 2The Wilds; 3Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Lee University The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a long-lived, fully-aquatic salamander that inhabits cool, well-oxygenated streams and rivers in the eastern United States. Although once abundant, C. a. alleganiensis populations have experienced major declines across the historical range due to habitat degradation, siltation, aquatic contaminants, and infectious diseases. Tennessee provides some of the best remaining habitat for C. a. alleganiensis throughout the known geographic range. However, standardized state-wide distribution assessments have been limited to known populations, and status of other C. a. alleganiensis populations remains unknown. We used current and historical occurrence data, in combination with landscape and environmental covariates, to create a species-specific predictive habitat model using a presence-only species distribution modeling (SDM) approach. We then used the resulting model to identify remaining functional populations of C. a. alleganiensis and areas of special concern using environmental DNA sampling techniques. We sampled a total of 200 sites between May 2016 – August 2016. We discovered 22 new C. a. alleganiensis locations among historical sites across Tennessee, and 8 new sites that were previously unknown. Future efforts include refining the habitat model using an occupancy modeling approach. The overarching goal of this project is to encourage efficient use of time and resources to effectively manage and conserve the few remaining secure, yet declining, C. a. alleganiensis populations throughout the state of Tennessee.
Investigating the Status of a Declining Amphibian within a Large Protected Area: Hellbenders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Michael Freake 1*, Stephen Spear2, Lori Williams3, Shem Unger4, Wingate University, Jeff Humphries3, John Groves5 1Lee University; 2The Wilds; 3North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; 4Wingate University; 5North Carolina Zoo The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is characterized by large expanses of intact, forested watersheds under federal management and protection. Moreover, there are several historic
Page 12 records within the GSMNP, suggesting that the GSMNP may be an important area for hellbender conservation. We assessed the current status of hellbender populations in the GSMNP with a combination of snorkel surveys, environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys, and habitat modeling on the North Carolina side of the park. We found evidence for significant declines in hellbender populations in 3 rivers since 2004, and one population that remains stable and abundant. eDNA surveys are broadly consistent with snorkel surveys, and habitat modeling suggests that suitable habitat is limited to stream sections at the lowest elevations, near the park boundary. The best historic habitat appears to have been at lower elevations still, outside the park, but is now impounded by Fontana Lake. We also found that GSMNP hellbenders tend to have lower body condition index than hellbenders from other Blue Ridge rivers outside the park. We suggest that hellbenders in the GSMNP are occupying small, isolated, suboptimal stream reaches; these populations are likely to be very susceptible to demographic and environmental stochasticity, and may require proactive conservation interventions.
Proactive Private Lands Conservation for Eastern Hellbenders Christian Hunt Defenders of Wildlife, Southeast Program Eastern hellbenders are afflicted by several threats, one of the most significant being the disturbance of streamside buffers and subsequent sedimentation of stream environments. Because many such lands are in private ownership, proactive conservation measures are often difficult, if not impossible. To address this obstacle, Defenders of Wildlife has applied for funds under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, in an aim to incentivize proactive conservation practices on lands critically important to hellbender recovery efforts.
Created by the 2014 Farm Bill, the RCPP is an initiative that seeks to co-invest with partners in solutions that benefit, in our case, producers and sensitive species, like the hellbender. If approved, NRCS funds would be directed to producers, with the intention of stabilizing and restoring sensitive riparian vegetation in areas critically important to hellbenders. Twenty partner groups would also come together to facilitate outreach, education, and implementation through either outright financial contributions or in-kind services. The RCPP therefore provides an opportunity to foster new partnerships and innovative techniques, and can address the root cause of dwindling hellbender populations in a mutually beneficial manner.
Successful outcomes will be determined through several methods including, but not limited to, habitat monitoring—measuring suspended solids, conductivity, organic matter—eDNA sampling, survivorship of reintroduced animals, etc. The RCPP effort will last five years.
Associations Between Immunogenetics and Cutaneous Microbial Community Composition in Two Subspecies of Giant Salamanders Obed Hernández-Gómez*1, Jeffrey T. Briggler2, Rod N. Williams1 1Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; 2Missouri Department of Conservation The complex association between hosts and microbial symbionts requires the implementation of multiple approaches to evaluate variation in host physiology. Within amphibians, population level heterogeneity in immunogenetic traits and cutaneous microbiome is associated with variation in disease resistance. Ozark (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) and eastern hellbenders (C. a. alleganiensis) provide a model system to assess variation in immunological traits and microbiomes. Ozark hellbenders
Page 13 have experienced declines throughout their limited range, are listed as federally endangered, and experience wound retardation that is not evident in the sister subspecies. Previous microbial investigations indicate differentiation in the composition of the skin microbiome of both hellbender subspecies, but it is not clear if these results are linked to diversity in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. We characterized the MHC class IIB and the skin microbiome of hellbenders in Missouri, where both subspecies co-occur though not sympatric. We compared the microbiome composition and MHC diversity between both subspecies and investigated whether individual-level MHC diversity was associated with microbiome composition. Overall MHC IIB diversity was lower in Ozark hellbenders compared to the eastern subspecies. Multivariate statistical comparisons identified compositional differentiation between the two subspecies. MHC IIB allele presence/absence and divergence defined grouping of hellbender microbial communities in two populations. Differentiation of the skin microbiome and MHC IIB genes between Ozark and eastern hellbenders suggest that differences exist in immunity between subspecies. This study demonstrates how simultaneous assessments of host genetic traits and microbial symbiont communities can inform patterns of microbial community structure in natural systems.
Comparing Prevalence of Amphibian Pathogens and Skin Health Parameters Between Tennessee and Arkansas Hellbender Populations Rebecca H. Hardman1*, William B. Sutton2, Dale McGinnity3, Kelly J. Irwin4, Sherry Reinsch3, Benjamin Fitzpatrick5, Phillip Colclough6, Marcy J. Souza7, Michael Freake8, Matthew J. Gray1 and Debra L. Miller1 *1Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee; 2Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Tennessee State University; 3Nashville Zoo; 4Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; 5Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee; 6Knoxville Zoo; 7Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee; 8Department of Biology, Lee University Both hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) subspecies have seen population declines over the past 25 years, especially in C. a. bishopi which is federally endangered. Habitat degradation alongside other factors may lead to secondary infections with amphibian pathogens such as Ranavirus and chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) or Bd. Host factors such as individual skin health may also contribute to disease manifestation. We collected tissue and swabs from C. a. bishopi and C. a. alleganiensis individuals from Arkansas and Tennessee, respectively during the summers of 2011-2016. We used qPCR analysis to determine presence of Ranavirus and Bd/Bsal from tail samples and skin swabs, respectively. In the latter two years we collected samples of microbiome and skin secretions. Overall, for C. a. bishopi, we detected 32% prevalence of Bd and 8.6% ranaviral infections; for C. a. alleganiensis, we detected 15% prevalence of Bd and 3% prevalence of Ranavirus. We have not found any Bsal positive individuals but have discovered Bd consistently present in these populations. Preliminary microbiome analyses have revealed increased skin microbial diversity in Tennessee populations (p<0.05). Furthermore, microbiome diversity from Tennessee individuals had much less inter-individual variation than from Arkansas despite having samples from a greater number of sites. We have recently purified large proteins and peptides from secretions of both subspecies and will use these fractions in growth inhibition assays for Bd. We are currently in our second phase of investigating morbidity and mortality in hellbenders by comparing host skin microbiomes with changes in clinical disease and host peptide production.
Page 14 Efficacy of Artificial Shelter Arrays as a Monitoring Tool for Hellbenders Catherine M. Bodinof Jachowski1** and William A. Hopkins1 1 Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech: *Current Affiliation: Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University Rock-lifting is the most widespread monitoring approach for hellbenders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, but can cause considerable habitat disturbance and yield unreliable comparisons of relative abundance when detectability varies among sites and studies. We investigated the efficacy of artificial shelter arrays (ASAs) as a monitoring tool for hellbenders and specifically tested the hypothesis that ASA occupancy functions as a reliable index of relative abundance. We installed ASAs (30 shelters per array) in six stream reaches stratified across a hellbender population density gradient (range = 0.3–3.0 sub- adult/adults per 100-m2) and surveyed shelters monthly from 2013-2015 (n = 2061 unique shelter surveys). Hellbenders used artificial shelters in every reach. We detected 156 individuals (n = 6-66 per array) and 33 nests during our study. All individuals were adults except for larvae that originated from nests established in a shelter. ASA occupancy peaked each year in July–Aug, increased during the first year following shelter deployment and thereafter remained stable. ASA occupancy functioned as a reliable index of relative abundance when natural shelter was relatively limited (i.e., ≤ 30% bedrock/boulder) among sites being compared. However, capture probabilities decreased as boulder/bedrock increased, effectively compromising the reliability of ASA occupancy as an index of relative abundance when > 30% of a reach was characterized by boulder/bedrock. Despite limitations, ASAs have tremendous potential as a long-term monitoring tool for hellbenders. However, we recommend that others carefully consider monitoring goals, the need for regular ASA maintenance and characteristics of field sites prior to investing considerable resources in ASAs.
“What’s the Draw: Illustrating the Impacts of Cartoons Versus Photographs on Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions for Wildlife Conservation” Brianna L. Osinski1*, Linda Prokopy1, Rod N. Williams1, Belyna Bentlage1, George Avery2, Jackie Getson1, Laura Esman1, and Zoe Glas1 1Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources; 2 American Health Data Institute Animals worldwide are facing record declines due in large part to human behaviors. Unfortunately, conservation efforts predominantly support species which are considered important or attractive, often at the exclusion of non-charismatic wildlife. To address this issue we used surveys to study the effects that cartoon illustrations versus natural photos had on people’s attitudes and behavioral intentions (BI) towards three non-charismatic species of conservation concern: the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis), the fanshell mussel (Cyprogenia stegaria), and the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis). We also interviewed wildlife management professionals (WMPs) in Indiana to assess their thoughts on the practice of anthropomorphizing non-charismatic species for conservation purposes. We found the effects of the species’ depiction differed between species, attitude type (species’ likeability and species’ worth), and BI. For likeability, the cartoon illustration elicited more positive attitudes toward the hellbender, less positive attitudes toward the mussel, and no significant attitude change toward the bat. Depiction had no significant impact on worth and BI scores. However, both attitude types were positively and significantly correlated with a more positive BI. WMPs’ attitudes toward anthropomorphism varied, but was overall accepted as long as the cartoon was accurate and respectful, the accompanying conservation message was clear, and it had a chance of connecting their work with a broader audience. Given the positive impacts of the cartoon hellbender on attitudes, we will
Page 15 discuss the potential for incorporating it into future hellbender outreach as well as how these findings can be applied more broadly to non-charismatic species conservation campaigns.
Sex Determination in the Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) by Ultrasonography Yuki Taguchi*, Ayako Noda, Noriyuki Nonoue and Shinji Minami Hiroshima City Asa Zoological Park To confirm the utility of ultrasonography in sex determination of the Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus), the animals were observed using Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment in 11 individuals of known sex and 26 of unknown sex. We could accurately confirm the gonads in 18 individuals of unknown sex by comparing the morphological data of gonads obtained from the sex-known individuals. Testes were identified from a male of 32 cm in total length. The observation of ovaries only occurred in females over 60 cm. Testes could be identified in any season. In contrast, ovary size changed with the seasons due to the presence or absence of eggs, so sex determination of females should carefully consider these conditions. The results revealed that ultrasonography is a minimally invasive method which enables sex determination without anesthesia, unlike previous methods using a laparoscope and that, ultrasonography is useful to determine the sex of the Japanese giant salamanders for males > 30 cm and for females > 60 cm.
When Should We Survey the Japanese Giant Salamanders (Andrias japonicus)? Yuki Taguchi* and Takeyoshi Tochimoto Japan Hanzaki Institute Timing is very important to ensure the largest number of sightings when night surveying for Japanese giant salamanders (Andrias japonicus). We surveyed a 200 m transect of the Ichikawa-River, Hyogo- Prefecture, Japan, every 2 hours from 6:00pm to 6:00am over 7 consecutive nights. Identification of each individual encountered was attempted by color pattern with taking photographs and by using a Trovan microchip with antenna-type reader. We have surveyed this area over 40 years so most of individuals almost had a microchip. We had a total of 231 salamander encounters, with 177 positive identifications. Thirty-five salamanders were repeatedly encountered, one salamander was encountered all 7 nights, and 18 salamanders were encountered only once over the survey period. Average encounter was 2.3±1.8 per 7 nights i.e. once per 3 nights. The highest number of sightings was from 8:00pm to 12:00pm, from approx. 2 to 4 hours after sunset. Relatively few individuals were encountered from 12:00pm to sunrise. Most individuals were encountered in shallow pools; 29±20 cm in depth.
Movement and Habitat Use in Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Following Population Augmentation Emily B. McCallen*, Bart T. Kraus, Nick G. Burgmeier, Songlin Fei, and Rod N. Williams Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) are threatened in many parts of their range. Conservation actions, including population augmentations and reintroductions, may be necessary to ensure the future viability of vulnerable Eastern Hellbender populations. In Indiana, the rapidly declining population is now restricted to a single river. While augmentation may improve recruitment within this population by increasing local densities, it is important to understand the effects of these management actions on both long-term residents and translocated individuals. In order to determine the suitability of such an approach in Indiana, we monitored the movement and habitat use of 42 Eastern Hellbenders at two sites that underwent population augmentations. We radio-tracked three
Page 16 cohorts over multiple seasons: wild, adult residents; captive-reared, juvenile translocates; and wild, adult translocates. We examined general patterns of dispersal and calculated linear and mean convex polygon home ranges for each tracked hellbender. We used a series of generalized linear mixed models to compare movement patterns and habitat use between groups. We saw a low incidence of dispersal from translocation sites even among wild, adult translocates. Wild, adult translocates had larger home ranges than residents, but the magnitude of these differences decreased over time. Captive-reared, juveniles had similar home range sizes as adult translocates, but appeared to utilize suboptimal habitats compared to adults. This is the first study to demonstrate the suitability of population augmentations in low-density Eastern Hellbender populations. It also establishes the potential of techniques such as soft- releases and habitat supplementation to improve translocation success in Hellbenders.
Current Advances in Eastern Hellbender Captive Rearing: The Value of Environmental Conditioning on Swim Performance Erin K. Kenison* and Rod N. Williams Purdue University, Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources Translocations often use captive-reared animals to help bolster or re-establish wild populations. However, captive environments are highly dissimilar from wild conditions and usually deprive animals of experiences that promote behavioral, physiological, and morphologic development. Captive rearing and translocation efforts are underway for Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis); yet, Hellbenders reared in aquaria that lack stimuli are ill-prepared for riverine environments and often make long-distance downstream movements following release. We altered standard captive techniques and reared juvenile Hellbenders with and without water current for eighteen months. We quantified morphological plasticity and swim performance as a function of rearing environment. Conditioned Hellbenders gained weight more slowly compared to unconditioned individuals, which we assert is a result of greater energy expenditure against moving water. Moreover, we detected evidence for phenotypic plasticity as conditioned individuals developed more shallow tails by the end of the rearing period. We did not find morphologic plasticity to influence Hellbenders’ swimming ability; however, we did find that after three swim trials, conditioned Hellbenders were less likely to need manual motivation and more likely to successfully complete the trial. Moreover, conditioned Hellbenders tended to improve through time and decreased the number of upstream attempts at each trial. Together, our data suggest that the addition of water current to Hellbender rearing environments induces a more streamlined tail and improves Hellbenders’ ability to reach upstream refugia. We advocate incorporating natural conditions into captive rearing programs to better prepare animals for and potentially improve the success of future translocations.
Preliminary Results of the North Carolina Hellbender Survey John D. Groves1* and Lori A. Williams2 1North Carolina Zoological Park; 2North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission We will summarize preliminary results of a 10-year inventory of hellbenders in North Carolina. The first hellbender surveys in the state at this scale, this project has given North Carolina researchers a starting point for assessing the state’s hellbender populations and developing baseline data for long-term monitoring and conservation planning. From 2007-2016, historical hellbender sites were surveyed, along with new, potential sites throughout the five Western NC river basins and nine sub-basin systems. During the surveys, we recorded data on a number of habitat variables, estimated catch-per-unit effort, examined water chemistry metrics, and collected data on animal morphometrics, physical condition, and habitat use. Along with project partners, continued work on North Carolina’s hellbenders is planned
Page 17 to monitor these populations long-term, inventory new, potential sites, and continue to identify threats to hellbenders in the state.
Occupancy Modeling of Larval Eastern Hellbenders in North Carolina
Shem Unger1*, Lori Williams2, John Groves3, and Charles Lawson2
1Department of Biology, Wingate University; 2 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Wildlife Management Division; 3 North Carolina Zoological Park Curator Emeritus
Eastern hellbenders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, have experienced precipitous population declines across their geographic range characterized by lack of recruitment of juvenile life history stages. Presently, very little is known regarding predictors of larval occupancy in streams. We used a combination of larval surveys and single-season occupancy modeling to investigate critical in-stream parameters associated with presence of larval eastern hellbenders in stable, healthy populations in the French Broad River drainage of North Carolina. Implications of this research include furthering our understanding of larval ecology and conservation practices to augment critical habitat for this imperiled species.
Population Structure and Stability, and Individual and Population Health for two Eastern Hellbender Meta-Populations in a Tributary of the Susquehanna River Peter J. Petokas Department of Biology and Clean Water Institute, Lycoming College Two Eastern Hellbender meta-populations, in a single tributary of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, were surveyed for population parameters and habitat preferences, and for individual and population health during August 2016. The principle study objectives were to determine if the two populations were stable or if they were in decline, and to establish baseline health conditions in a watershed where shale gas extraction ongoing and is expected to expand. Linear density, sex ratios, and size structure, and preferences for cover rock size and channel depth were determined from capture data. All individuals were micro-chipped, sexed, measured for length and weight, and assessed for external indicators of health, including evidence of infection, ectoparasites, and tissue damage. Blood was collected from the caudal vein of 36 individuals and plasma samples were submitted to an independent lab for analysis of 13 blood chemistry parameters. Blood smears and micro-hematocrits were created. White blood cell differentials and blood parasite and micronuclei occurrence were quantified. Total body length/mass ratios were calculated to assess general health. Analyses of population data show that linear density, size structure, and habitat preferences showed little change since similar surveys of the populations three and five years earlier. Some interchange between the two populations occurred, with all movements in the upstream direction. The health data suggest that there has been a downward trend in the length/mass ratio, but there is no evidence of a significant decline in population health despite serious declines and local extinctions in hellbender populations throughout the Susquehanna River watershed.
Page 18 Quantitative Protocols for Assessing Hellbender Abundance and In-Stream Habitat: The Need for Standardized Techniques M. Worth Pugh1,2*, Thomas Franklin1,3, Lynn Siefferman1, and Michael M. Gangloff1 1Department of Biology, Appalachian State University; 2Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama; 3United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation, Rocky Mountain Research Station Quantitative estimates of population size and assessments of local habitat are critical to wildlife monitoring programs. Hellbender populations are likely undergoing significant, range-wide declines in spatial extent and abundance. However, despite increased interest in hellbender ecology on the part of management agencies and researchers, our ability to quantify the extent of both population and habitat quality declines is limited by lack of standardization. Because surveys rarely standardize effort by time or stream reach, extrapolating from the reach to the stream scale is problematic and habitat assessments are frequently qualitative and highly subjective hindering our ability to understand regional trends. We compared the efficacy of a spatially and temporally constrained hellbender survey methodology with traditional, unconstrained rock-turn surveys. Additionally, we quantified habitat parameters and examined measurement consistency between years using intra-class correlations. Spatio-temporally constrained surveys captured 25% more animals and produced relative abundance estimates that were 107% higher than unstandardized surveys. Constraining survey effort may have ensured that technicians searched hellbender habitat more effectively and reduced the likelihood of surveyors overlooking cover rocks or bedrock seams. Intra-class correlations revealed that some physical habitat attributes (e.g., channel width, depth) remain consistent between years whereas others were more variable indicating that this methodology is sensitive to year-to-year and long terms changes in stream habitat. By applying these standardized methods researchers can provide more informative estimates of abundance and habitat suitability that will improve the ability of monitoring programs to detect changes in the range and population sizes of North America’s only extant cryptobranchid.
Invasion from Hell(benders!) Bryan Plis Mesker Park Zoo This presentation outlines the plan, design and construction of three phases of the Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleghaniensis) conservation project at Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, focusing in the challenges of such a large-scale project in multiple existing locations within the zoo. Opened in 1928, Mesker Park Zoo is a medium-sized Midwestern zoo that, in 2014, partnered with Purdue University, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, and Columbian Park Zoo to initiate a joint program to help recover the Eastern hellbender in Indiana. The role of Mesker Park Zoo was initially to head-start 0.0.20 juvenile hellbenders in our Veterinary complex, which began construction in the winter of 2014 (phase 1.) Phase 2 was conceived as an education/outreach component to the head-starting process, where an exhibit would be built to give zoo patrons a behind-the-scenes look at the program. A pitch was given to the zoo Board of Directors, approval was given, and construction began in the fall of 2015, replacing an existing Indiana watershed exhibit within the Discovery Center (a building focusing on endangered species and conservation.) The “Hellbent on Conservation” exhibit was unveiled on Earth Day, 2016. The need for captive hellbender breeding in Indiana gave birth to the idea of building an indoor artificial stream at Mesker Park Zoo. Given the needs that a large stream replete with life support systems and egg incubation require, the old commissary/keeper breakroom in the Kley Memorial building was the only viable location. While the challenges of building a hellbender breeding
Page 19 stream in the upper floor of a building that opened in 1955 are numerous, construction of the hellbender breeding stream was completed in April 2017. 3.1 adult hellbenders were released into the stream a month later, with the hopes that breeding would occur in the fall of 2017.
Hellbender Aggression Max A. Nickerson1*, Kirsten A. Hecht2, Jeffrey T. Briggler3 1University of Florida / Florida Museum of Natural History; 2University of Florida/ Interdisciplinary Ecology; 3Missouri Department of Conservation The literature regarding hellbender aggression is scattered and largely anecdotal. Hellbender intraspecific aggression is mostly attributed to biological changes during the “reproduction season” and interspecific aggression is typically related to capture or attempted capture by people. There is evidence that aggression may differ among populations and that it may have increased in some populations over time. Changes in habitat interactions including those associated with human populations, introduction or reintroduction of other species are potential irritants which may modify behavior. We will discuss data from long-term studies and unique observations which have stimulated us to address research questions concerning Cryptobranchus aggression.
The Continued Development of Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a Monitoring Tool for Giant Salamanders in the Eastern United States Stephen Spear1*, Lori Williams2, John Groves3, Michael Freake4, Angelo Capparella5, Thomas Franklin6, Chloe Moore7, Merri Collins8 1 The Wilds; 2North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; 3North Carolina Zoo; 4Lee University; 5Illinois State University, 6U.S. Forest Service, 7University of Georgia, 8Ohio University Environmental DNA has become well established for detecting the presence of Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). To date, most work has been limited to presence and absence of hellbenders, and further development is needed if eDNA is to reach its full potential as a monitoring tool. We report on several recent projects that have increased our ability to monitor hellbenders with eDNA, as well as the development of a similar protocol for the Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus). This work has centered on understanding the detection probability of hellbender eDNA as well as the relationship between eDNA quantity and environmental variables. We have found that hellbender eDNA has high detectability at very low concentrations of eDNA. In addition to eDNA concentration, detection was influenced by percent sand and median hellbender length at site. However, eDNA detection increased with percent sand, which is counterintuitive to our expectations for hellbender presence. Similarly, in another study in western North Carolina, we found that impervious surfaces were positively associated with eDNA presence, suggesting that confounding variables may be influencing eDNA detection. In contrast to hellbender eDNA, we find a much lower rate of detection for mudpuppy eDNA compared to hellbender eDNA, particularly at sites in North Carolina and Illinois, and that eDNA detection does vary seasonally. In Ohio, we detected mudpuppy eDNA at several potential sites, but found that mudpuppy eDNA presence was patchy along the stream network. Thus, our mudpuppy eDNA research demonstrates that eDNA is effective for this species, but likely requires a more intensive sampling effort than hellbenders.
Page 20 Eastern Hellbender, Mudpuppy, and Black Warrior Waterdog in Alabama James Godwin1* and Lesley de Souza2 1Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Museum of Natural History, Auburn University; 2Keller Action Science Center, The Field Museum The Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), and Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis) are three rare large aquatic salamanders in Alabama. The Eastern hellbender and mudpuppy occur in the Tennessee River drainage while the Black Warrior waterdog is endemic to the Upper Black Warrior River basin. Eastern hellbender and Black Warrior waterdog are species of conservation concern of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Results of recent surveys on the Black Warrior waterdog and Eastern hellbender support the conservation concern for these species. Survey methods employed for the Eastern hellbender and Black Warrior waterdog have been conventional techniques of trapping, dip netting, snorkeling, and lifting rocks plus the novel technique of eDNA. While eDNA has proven to be more sensitive in the detection of target species than conventional sampling and eDNA results have identified persistence of site occupancy by the Black Warrior waterdog and hellbender and newly identified streams for the hellbender the status of both species should remain at high conservation concern. The mudpuppy is an ecological associate of the Eastern hellbender and in Alabama is considered secure yet the species’ status has not been adequately evaluated. Examinations of museum records of the three species suggest that the status of the mudpuppy in Alabama is of conservation concern and should be reevaluated.
Population Structure of the Gulf Coast Waterdog (Necturus beyeri) Jennifer Y. Lamb1*, Brian R. Krieser1, and J. Hardin Waddle2 1 The University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Biological Sciences; 2 U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center Conservation and management planning can be guided by data that characterize patterns of genetic diversity and population structure. Studies utilizing microsatellite loci have made substantial contributions to amphibian conservation but they are often lacking for amphibians in lotic systems. We used five microsatellite loci to describe genetic diversity and population structure in the Gulf Coast Waterdog (Necturus beyeri), a perrinibranch salamander found in river drainages from Texas to Florida. For this preliminary analysis, we genotyped 129 individuals of N. beyeri from the Sabine (N = 22), Calcasieu (N = 21), and Pascagoula River Drainages (N = 56), as well as from four drainages in the Lake
Pontchartrain Basin (N = 30). When averaged across loci and drainages, observed heterozygosity (HO = 0.722) did not deviate significantly from expected (HE = 0.780), rarefied allelic richness (Ar; calculated for drainages with at least eight genotyped individuals) was modest (mean Ar = 5.58), and we detected private alleles in four of the seven drainages. Both HO and Ar were highest for the Pascagoula River, and the greatest number of private alleles occurred in Bayou Lacombe. Bayesian clustering analyses identified three genetic groups, one West and two East of the Mississippi River. Our results corroborate some of the allozyme patterns initially described by Guttman et al. (1990), and the distributions of these genetic groups are similar to what has been observed in other sympatric taxa. In the coming months, we will incorporate individuals from other drainages (e.g., Pearl and Yellow Rivers) into these analyses.
Page 21 Co-occurrence and Hybridization Between Necturus maculosus and a Potentially Undescribed Necturus Species in the Southern Appalachians Stephen K. Nelson1*, Matthew L. Niemiller2, Benjamin M. Fitzpatrick3 1Department of Herpetology, Knoxville Zoological Gardens; 2 Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; 3Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee The only mudpuppy known to occur in the Tennessee Valley of the Interior Highlands and Southern Appalachians is the Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus). Necturus maculosus is not known to co- occur with any other congeners. Here, we report evidence that an additional Necturus occurs in the Hiwassee River, a tributary of the Tennessee River, in eastern Tennessee. Some specimens from the Hiwassee River are clearly identified as N. maculosus, but others resemble the Neuse River Waterdog (N. lewisi), known only from the Tar-Neuse river system draining to the Atlantic Ocean on the opposite side of the Appalachian Mountains. Concordance between color pattern, mitochondrial DNA, and four nuclear loci demonstrate that these two co-occurring forms represent distinct taxa rather than color variants within a single, panmictic population. A few mismatched genotypes suggest rare hybridization and backcrossing. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new form (hereafter N. aff. lewisi) is related to N. lewisi and N. punctatus (both species from the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont), but it is unclear yet whether it should be classified as a disjunct population of N. lewisi or as a new taxonomic species. Regardless, its existence raises new questions about the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of riverine salamander communities in southern Appalachia and for conservation and management.
Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Not Common in Southern Appalachian Streams Kirsten A. Hecht1,2*, Lori A. Williams3, Stephen K. Nelson4, Thomas Floyd5, & Jeremiah L. Cronin2 1School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida; 2Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida; 3North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; 4Zoo Knoxville; 5Georgia Department of Natural Resources While the Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is considered common throughout most of its North American range there are relatively little data to support the claim, especially within Southern Appalachia. From 2000-2016, we sampled streams in eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, and western North Carolina using several methods to determine presence/absence of Common Mudpuppies in lotic systems as well as to collect information on basic life history traits and habitat use. While locally abundant in some drainages, N. maculosus was absent from many waterways (especially in North Carolina and Georgia) and overall we had low catch per unit effort (CPUE) and trapping success. Both immature and mature Mudpuppies were found throughout the surveyed areas. We found the majority of animals under rocks in runs and pools. Overall our preliminary research demonstrates that N. maculosus is potentially not common in Southern Appalachia and warrants future research. Specific research needs include, but are not limited to, continued distributional surveys, habitat use (specifically, micro-habitat and potential use impounded waters and deeper riverine pools), diet, density, and movement.
Page 22
Innovative Object-based Classification of River Substrates Utilizing Sonar Imaging Data for Hellbender Conservation Kimberly A. Ordonez*, E.B. McCallen, S. Fei, and R.N. Williams Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Due to habitat disturbance, disease, and other factors, Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) have faced rapid population declines. One of the most important considerations for Hellbender translocation success is habitat quality, which includes information on stream substrate composition. While substrate information is vital for choosing appropriate release sites, it is nearly impossible to assess substrate throughout an entire river system using field intensive survey methods. A remote sensing method does exist to image river substrates via side-scan sonar, but the files require manual classification, which is time intensive and subject to researcher bias. Herein, we have developed a new procedure to automatically detect and categorize important substrates. We used the Trimble eCognition program to perform object-based segmentation of sonar images. This process first generates multi-pixel objects according to spatial and spectral features and then relies on rule sets to classify substrates into boulder, cobble, gravel, bedrock, sand, or silt categories. We have imaged 33 river kilometers of the Blue River in southern Indiana and are currently testing the methodology. If we can reach 80% overall classification accuracy based on an independent test data set, the classified substrate maps will be incorporated into an occupancy model for Indiana Hellbenders that will explicitly predict habitat suitability at potential release sites.
Analysis of Hellbender Skin Secretions in Tennessee and Arkansas Populations Rebecca H. Hardman 1, Kendall Oziminski 1*, Laura K. Reinert2, Louise Rollins-Smith 2, Kelly J. Irwin3, and Debra L. Miller1 1Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee; 2 Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; 3Arkansas Game and Fish Commission The Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), is a large aquatic salamander containing two subspecies, Ozark Hellbender (C. a. bishopi), and Eastern Hellbender (C. a. alleganiensis), from the Ozark mountains and eastern U.S., respectively. Both subspecies have seen population declines over the past 25 years, especially in C. a. bishopi which is federally endangered. Habitat degradation alongside other factors may lead to secondary infections with amphibian pathogens such as Ranavirus and chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) or Bd. Skin health and changes in secretions are well documented to explain some observed differences between amphibian species’ resistance to chytrid fungus. Antimicrobial peptides, antibodies, and changes in microbial communities are factors in skin composition that may affect an individual’s ability to fight off infection. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) isolated from frog species have demonstrated growth inhibition of Bd among other known amphibian pathogens and have correlated with prevalence of disease seen in the field. We have collected secretions from hellbenders of Tennessee and Arkansas over the summers of 2015 and 2016 and
Page 23 quantified both large protein and small peptide fractions. We found no difference in peptide concentrations between populations but have discovered a markedly increased peptide concentration in one noticeably stressed C. a. bishopi individual. We are currently performing growth inhibition assays of these peptide fractions against Bd growth in vitro and will share preliminary results.
Collaboration at the Saint Louis Zoo – Keepers and Life Support Technicians Andrew Bywater and Amanda Pedigo* Saint Louis Zoo The Ron Goellner Center for Hellbender Conservation has been a group effort at the Saint Louis Zoo. Keepers, Veterinarians, Life Support Technicians, and many others have all played a pivotal role in making the center as successful as it has been. In particular, the design and implementation of new aquatic systems over the years has made it easier for the construction of new systems and also for ease of use. This poster summarizes some of the major changes that have been made to system design and a brief outline of the successes of the program.
Assessing Predator Detection and Avoidance Behavior of Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in the Presence of Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Paige Weldy*, Erin Kenison, and Rod Williams Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University Predator prey dynamics are common in nature. Predators and prey may use visual, tactile, chemical, or a combination of cues to communicate. For prey living in a system with multiple predators, they must be able to detect, evaluate, and appropriately respond to perceived risk. Rusty crayfish are native to a riverine system where they are found in sympatry with smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). We are interested 1) whether rusty crayfish alter their behavior in response to cues from these two predators, 2) how behavioral responses may vary by predator, 3) if prey responses are a function of crayfish size, and 4) how predator diet and conspecific alarm cues influence behavioral responses. We utilized a 2x5 factorial design, with two sizes of crayfish, and five treatment groups (i.e., control, hellbender, bass, hellbender fed crayfish, and bass fed crayfish).We collected predator kairomones with worm and a crayfish diets. We individually exposed crayfish to predator and treatment cues and recorded all freezing behavior, appendage movement, locomotion, and refuge use at one-minute intervals for 20 minutes. We found that crayfish size did not influence behavior, but that crayfish exposed to predator kairomones remained frozen for longer and reduced their movement around the holding tank. These differences were comparable between hellbender and largemouth bass cues. Moreover, crayfish increased their frozen behavior and reduced movement when exposed to conspecific alarm cues in combination with predator kairomones. These behavioral responses may be advantageous in reducing predator detection and subsequent attacks. This study provides definitive evidence for altered crayfish behavior in the presence of predator cues and the importance of conspecific alarm cues in eliciting even stronger defensive responses. This project will benefit future work investigating trophic interactions by providing insight on how crayfish interact with predators, and how they may behave if a predator is removed from a system.
Page 24 Comparing Macroinvertebrate Communities to Determine Suitability for Eastern Hellbender Reintroduction in Indiana Veronica Yager*, Nick Burgmeier, Emily McCallen, Shem Unger, and Rod Williams Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University The Eastern Hellbender is endangered in Indiana and restricted to a single river system. My research compares macroinvertebrate communities and crayfish abundance at three different rivers across the Hellbender range to determine suitability for Eastern Hellbender reintroduction in Indiana. The Blue River, IN contains a declining Hellbender population, Indian Creek, IN has no known remaining Hellbenders, and Toccoa River, GA contains a healthy Hellbender population. I collected macroinvertebrates using a surber sampler and captured crayfish inside a quadrant at four sites selected within each river between July-October 2016. We compared macroinvertebrate community structure and discovered a significantly greater richness of macroinvertebrate orders in Indian Creek, IN (p = 0.002) and no significant difference in diversity between all three streams. We analyzed community structure using a PCOA. Toccoa River contains the highest water quality and largest substrate, then Blue River, then Indian Creek. The x-axis loaded positively on the indicator groups, Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera, and negatively on the pollution tolerant groups, Diptera and Coleoptera. This suggests an axis of water quality. The y-axis loaded positively on Plecoptera which live on large cobble suggesting an axis of substrate. ADONIS results confirmed significant compositional differences in community structure between Indiana and Georgia. Our crayfish results indicate significantly greater crayfish abundance and size in the Indiana rivers compared to the Georgia river (p = <0.001). The results from this project will help to further describe the important role that Eastern Hellbenders occupy in stream systems and aid in advancing hellbender conservation efforts in Indiana.
Page 25