Evaluating translocation success of wild eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) in Blue Ridge Ecoregion streams using pre- and post-translocation home range sizes and movement metrics.

Translocations of freshwater species have become a widespread conservation strategy to mitigate the impacts of habitat fragmentation, yet they are not often rigorously monitored using animal movement data to determine their success. We demonstrate the value of monitoring pre- and post-translocation movements and home-range sizes of a fully-aquatic, benthic stream salamander, the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) to determine translocation success.

Prevalence and Molecular Analysis of Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) Trypanosomes in Tennessee.

Populations of eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) have been declining for multiple decades because of a variety of stressors associated with anthropogenic habitat disturbance followed by riparian sedimentation. The influence of parasite-associated morbidity and mortality on wild hellbender populations is poorly understood. Research has detected widespread trypanosome infection in hellbenders in Virginia, US, with no other reported detections within the eastern hellbender's extensive range.

Physiological impacts of temperature variability and climate warming in hellbenders ().

Cold-adapted hellbender salamanders that inhabit cool mountain streams are expected to fare poorly under warmer projected climate scenarios. This study investigated the physiological consequences of long-term, naturalistic temperature variation on juvenile hellbenders under simulated current and warmer (+1.6 C) climates vs.

Translocation does not influence amphibian chytrid fungus prevalence among wild eastern hellbenders Cryptobranchus alleganiensis.

Disease monitoring is an essential step in translocation projects, specifically in amphibians where emerging pathogens such as the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) are linked to population declines. The eastern hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis is a large, fully aquatic salamander experiencing precipitous range-wide population declines; however, the role Bd plays in these declines is unclear. To augment declining hellbender populations and determine effects of translocation on Bd prevalence, we conducted a translocation study of wild adult hellbenders from 2 source streams with abundant hellbender populations to 2 streams with declining populations in east Tennessee, USA.

Subterranean movement inferred by temporary emigration in Barton Springs salamanders ().

Movement behavior is an important aspect of animal ecology but is challenging to study in species that are unobservable for some portion of their lives, such as those inhabiting subterranean environments. Using four years of robust-design capture-recapture data, we examined the probability of movement into subterranean habitat by a population of endangered Barton Springs salamanders (), a species that inhabits both surface and subterranean groundwater habitats. We tested the effects of environmental variables and body size on survival and temporary emigration, using the latter as a measure of subterranean habitat use.

The relationship between spindly leg syndrome incidence and water composition, overfeeding, and diet in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.).

Spindly Leg Syndrome (SLS) is a persistent animal welfare issue associated with the rearing of amphibians in captivity. We conducted two experiments to investigate the effects of diet, water composition and overfeeding on prevalence of SLS in newly metamorphosed harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.).

Cryptic impacts of temperature variability on amphibian immune function.

Ectothermic species living in temperate regions can experience rapid and potentially stressful changes in body temperature driven by abrupt weather changes. Yet, among amphibians, the physiological impacts of short-term temperature variation are largely unknown. Using an ex situ population of Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, an aquatic North American salamander, we tested the hypothesis that naturally occurring periods of temperature variation negatively impact amphibian health, either through direct effects on immune function or by increasing physiological stress.