Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Session 3.09 Poster Session
Presentation #1 Title
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Different Methods of Detection for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) in the Ohio River Watershed
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Global amphibian declines pose a major threat to the world’s biodiversity. The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis has experienced dramatic population declines in the Ohio River Watershed and throughout its range. These declines have resulted in near threatened classification by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) and the labeling of the hellbender as a management priority in several states. As is the case with many cryptic species the hellbender has historically been plagued by low detection probability. Despite the need for effective monitoring protocols, a thorough assessment of the effectiveness of hellbender sampling techniques has not yet been conducted. The goal of this study is to identity the most effective sampling(s) techniques to detect hellbenders. Three methods; diurnal visual encounter surveys (VES), nocturnal spotlighting and un-baited traps were evaluated from June to October 2013. These methods were chosen based upon the limited disturbance to the animal and the stream environment. We sampled twenty-five sites in the Monongahela National Forest each month for a total of 200 search hours and 300 trap nights. A single sexually mature male was detected using diurnal visual encounter surveys in September. Upon further collection I plan to construct a single-season, single-species occupancy model to determine the maximum probability of hellbender detection in the Ohio River Watershed. Once this has been achieved, the most effective sampling technique(s) can be incorporated into future management plans that more accurately assess the population status of the hellbender.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Kelli Herrick is a second year graduate student at Marshall University.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Different Methods of Detection for the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) in the Ohio River Watershed
MSC Lobby
Global amphibian declines pose a major threat to the world’s biodiversity. The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis has experienced dramatic population declines in the Ohio River Watershed and throughout its range. These declines have resulted in near threatened classification by International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) and the labeling of the hellbender as a management priority in several states. As is the case with many cryptic species the hellbender has historically been plagued by low detection probability. Despite the need for effective monitoring protocols, a thorough assessment of the effectiveness of hellbender sampling techniques has not yet been conducted. The goal of this study is to identity the most effective sampling(s) techniques to detect hellbenders. Three methods; diurnal visual encounter surveys (VES), nocturnal spotlighting and un-baited traps were evaluated from June to October 2013. These methods were chosen based upon the limited disturbance to the animal and the stream environment. We sampled twenty-five sites in the Monongahela National Forest each month for a total of 200 search hours and 300 trap nights. A single sexually mature male was detected using diurnal visual encounter surveys in September. Upon further collection I plan to construct a single-season, single-species occupancy model to determine the maximum probability of hellbender detection in the Ohio River Watershed. Once this has been achieved, the most effective sampling technique(s) can be incorporated into future management plans that more accurately assess the population status of the hellbender.
