Land use and eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) populations in three Hiwassee River tributary watersheds
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Charles Rowan Lawson (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Joseph Pechmann
Abstract: The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a cryptic,
long-lived, species in the family Cryptobranchidae. Declines in populations of many
aquatic species, including C. a. alleganiensis may be related to changes in the streamside
and watershed physical characteristics. This study examined the potential link between
changes in substrate condition (fine sediment accumulation) and differences in C. a.
alleganiensis length frequency, mass, tail circumference, and tail fin height within three
tributaries to the Hiwassee River in North Carolina. Changes in these characteristics will
indicate which habitats support the healthiest C. a. alleganiensis populations. I
characterized the substrate within the three streams and sampled C. a. alleganiensis
populations from the three streams. Snout-vent length frequencies were not significantly
different among streams. Mean mass, mass:snout-vent length, and mass adjusted for
snout-vent length in C. a. alleganiensis populations within Tusquitee Creek were larger
when compared to Fires Creek, but not Brasstown Creek. The larger C. a. alleganiensis
observed within Tusquitee Creek were thought to be the result of the compounding
influences of stream reach position, sediment accumulation, point discharges, and other
associated variables.
Land use and eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) populations in three Hiwassee River tributary watersheds
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2012
- Keywords
- Cryptobranchus, Hellbender
- Subjects
- Giant salamanders -- Effect of sediments on -- North Carolina -- Clay County
- River sediments -- North Carolina -- Clay County