EASTERN HELLBENDER (CRYPTOBRANCHUS ALLEGANIENSIS) CURRENT AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Transcript of EASTERN HELLBENDER (CRYPTOBRANCHUS ALLEGANIENSIS) CURRENT AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
William Sutton et al.
11/01/2015SEAFWA Asheville
EASTERN HELLBENDER (CRYPTOBRANCHUS
ALLEGANIENSIS) CURRENT AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
Talk Contributors
Dr. Brian Miller (Middle Tennessee State University)
Dr. Michael Freake (Lee University)
Dr. Stephen Speare (Orianne Society)
Dr. William Sutton / Jeronimo Silva (Tennessee State University)
Dale McGinnity (Nashville Zoological Park)
Date Population Estimate27 June 1990 104 6 June 1991 12510 July 1992 114
44 hellbenders were marked during the 3-year study
Hellbender Declines in Tennessee
POPULATION ESTIMATES OF EASTERN HELLBENDERS IN A 0.50 KM SECTION OF THE
COLLINS RIVER (WARREN COUNTY)
Streams searched for Cryptobranchus alleganiensis during July and August 2011. _________________________________________________________________Stream Name County Distance Person Hours # Hellbenders
Km (mi) Searched found _____________________________________________________________________ Collins River Warren/Grundy 27.60 (17.20) 159.0 0
Calfkiller River White 10.70 (6.60) 89.0 0
Elk River Franklin 1.00 (0.70) 17.5 0
Stones River Rutherford 1.10 (0.50) 24.0 0
Richland Creek Giles 0.50 (0.31) 6.0 0
Duck River* Coffee 12.14 (7.30) 81.0 0
Duck River Bedford 15.11 (9.40) 28.0 0
Little Sequatchie Marion 2.42 (1.50) 10.0 0_____________________________________________________________________
Totals 70.57 (43.51) 414.5 0_______________________________________________________________________*includes 2.71 km of Little Duck River
Hellbender Population Status and Genetics
Cherokee NF Population Size Structure
GSMNP Population StructureLittle River
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
<9
9-12
13-1
5
16-1
8
19-2
1
22-2
4
25-2
7
28-3
0
31-3
3
34-3
6
37-3
9
40-4
2
43-4
5
46-4
8
49-5
1
52-5
4
Total length(cm)
%
Deep Creek
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
<9
9-12
13-1
5
16-1
8
19-2
1
22-2
4
25-2
7
28-3
0
31-3
3
34-3
6
37-3
9
40-4
2
43-4
5
46-4
8
49-5
1
52-5
4
Total length (cm)
%
Oconaluftee River
05
101520253035
<9
9-12
13-1
5
16-1
8
19-2
1
22-2
4
25-2
7
28-3
0
31-3
3
34-3
6
37-3
9
40-4
2
43-4
5
46-4
8
49-5
1
52-5
4
Total length (cm)
%
Noland Creek
05
101520253035
<9
9-12
13-1
5
16-1
8
19-2
1
22-2
4
25-2
7
28-3
0
31-3
3
34-3
6
37-3
9
40-4
2
43-4
5
46-4
8
49-5
1
52-5
4
Total length (cm)
%
Buffalo/Duck
Hiwassee/Ocoee
Hiwassee
Little Tennessee/Holston/Watauga
Mitochondrial relationships in the Tennessee Valley Tennessee
Clinch/Cumberland
eDNA inventory – Presence/Absence
Results – Quantification (GA)
Results-Quantification (TN)Reproducing
Survey captures No recent captures
GA: Sites with current detections (6.8 ng) > historic sites (0.95 ng)
Results – Seasonality (NC)
Tennessee Landscape Habitat Model
Use known hellbender locations to train and construct landscape model for Tennessee
Identify landscape and aquatic habitat features likely important for Hellbender localities
Validate landscape model using eDNA presences/absences
Refine landscape model based on eDNA results
Variable Name Description Source
Flow Average annual volume of water passing through a stream segment per unit time NHD+
GeologyGeological classification pertaining to the substrate of each stream segment THEC
PctbarrenPercent of barren land per catchment of each stream segment NLCD
PctcropPercent of croplands per catchment of each stream segment
NLCD
PctdevPercent of developed lands per catchment of each stream segment
NLCD
PctforestPercent of forested lands per catchment of each stream segment
NLCD
PctpasturePercent of parture lands per catchment of each stream segment
NLCD
PctshrubPercent of shrubland per catchment of each stream segment NLCD
PctwaterPercent of water per catchment of each stream segment NLCD
PctwetlandPercent of wetlands oper catchment of each stream segment NLCD
PrecipAverage annual precipitation received by a stream segment's cathment PRISM
SinuosityDegree of deviation in each stream segment's path from the shortest possible path. NHD+
Slope Slope of flowline NHD+
Stream orderStrahler's stream order category based on upstream tributary number NHD+
TempAverage nnual temperautre for each stream segment's cathment PRISM
VelocityAverage annual rate of discharge per stream segment NHD+
West Virginia off exhibit hellbenders
1. collected 3.1 Hellbenders in WV.2. Purchased 4 used 120 gallon lobster
tanks3. Goal to breed hellbenders in tanks with temperature and photoperiod
cycling then Hormonal induction.
2012,2013
1. Produced 2 offspring in 2012 and 14 in 2013 with Hormonal induction and artificial fertilization.
2007
Genetically important TN Specimens
housed in separate tanks, but with same water system, will try
hormonal induction and natural fertilization with this year.
Egg collection from the Wild
Used in other states for head start Used in other states for head start programs. programs.
Best if eggs have been with den master Best if eggs have been with den master for at least two weeks before collection.for at least two weeks before collection.
Zoo hatched 100% of 66 eggs collected Zoo hatched 100% of 66 eggs collected for disease trial studies last year. All for disease trial studies last year. All survived while at Zoo, except 1.survived while at Zoo, except 1.
Benefits of egg collection for Headstarting
1) Little impact on wild populations.1) Little impact on wild populations.2) Much more cost effective, still takes raising animals for 3 years.2) Much more cost effective, still takes raising animals for 3 years.3) Can increase genetic diversity by collecting eggs from different 3) Can increase genetic diversity by collecting eggs from different
nests.nests.4) Easier to maintain biosecure facility because less space required.4) Easier to maintain biosecure facility because less space required.
TranslocationTranslocation
1)1) Faster, less resources.Faster, less resources.
2)2) New avenue for research studyNew avenue for research study
Where to do itHeadstart in Middle Tennessee
Translocation in the eastern part of the state..