A Study of the Ozark Hellbender Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis Bishopi

Abstract

A tag-recapture study of the Ozark Hellbender salamander, Cryptobranc/ws a. bishopi, was made on the North Fork of the White River, Ozark Co., Missouri. During the summers of 1969 and 1970, animals were tagged along a 2.67-km stretch of stream bed. Population estimates were 428 with 95% C.L. of 341-573 hellbenders/km of stream bed. Biomass estimates were 156 kg/km with 95% C.L. of 124.5-210 kg/km of stream bed. Density estimate in "prime habitat" was one/8-10 m2 with 95% C.L. of one/6-7 mz_one/13-16 m 2 . Recaptures indicated little movement. Ozark Hellbenders are one of the dominant organisms in this stream system.

Heavy metals, hematology, plasma chemistry, and parasites in adult hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

“…The findings corroborate previous reports that Ozark hellbenders are smaller than eastern hellbenders [23,24].…”

Phylogeography and conservation genetics of the hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

“…These data suggest female gene flow among hellbender populations is restricted, which is consistent with results from mark-recapture studies showing low within-river movement and remarkable philopatry (for both genders) in this species (Nickerson and Mays 1973;Peterson 1987;Routman et al 1994). Hellbenders have very specific habitat requirements and are only found in rocky streams with clean, clear, cold, well-oxygenated water.…”

“…Indeed, the earliest cryptobranchid fossil found in North America so far dates back to the Paleocene around 65 mya (Naylor 1981). Since the Paleocene, the Ozark highlands have flattened and have risen again (Nickerson and Mays 1973). In addition, Pleistocene glaciations formed, reformed and dissipated numerous rivers and lakes throughout eastern North America (Pielou 1991).…”

Historic occurrence of the amphibian chytrid ­fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in ­hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis ­populations from Missouri

“…Many Bd infections in semi-aquatic amphibians can be mitigated via behavioral fever (Woodhams et al 2003), and intensity and duration of infection limited by high summer temperatures and ephemeral drying of ponds. In contrast, the spring-fed streams where hellbenders occur in Missouri often maintain year-round temperatures (see Nickerson & Mays 1973) ideal for Bd (Piotrowski et al 2004), as evidenced by our detection of Bd infection in hellbenders during all seasons (Table 1). Persistence of even mild Bd infections over a long term may have negative implications for salamanders like hellbenders.…”

“…Hellbenders Cryptobranchus alleganiensis are large (up to 74 cm), fully aquatic, long-lived (25+ yr) salamanders that inhabit cool, highly oxygenated streams in portions of eastern and central North America (Smith 1907, Nickerson & Mays 1973, Taber et al 1975. Currently, 2 subspecies of hellbender have been described.…”