Date of Award

Spring 5-1-1984

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Life Sciences

First Advisor

John O. Whitaker Jr.

Abstract

Very 1 ittle was previously known ubout the Hellbender, Crrp:t:£branchus alleganiensis alleganiensis, in Indiana. The purpose of this study was to determine its current range and status in Indiana and collect life history information. The hell benders were captured by hand from under rocks and 1d th hoopnets baited with cut fish. They were tagged, measured, wei~hed, examined for large external parasites, wounds, and reproductive cond:i - tion. Stoma ch contents were taken with a non-lethal, stomach-flushfog technique. The animals were then released at the site of capture. Al though they were originally found in the Ohio River, \\'hi tewater River, Fourteen-mile Creek, Silver Creek, Blue River, and the lower Wabash River, they currently are found only in the Blue River Watershed in Harrison, Crawford, and Washington Counties in Indiana. Crayfish were the dominant food with fish, carrion, and other animal material being taken when available. Man is the only predator known to take adult hellbenders, although it is likely that large catfish prey on them. Most of the hell benders captured were between 4 25 and 525 mm in length and 400 to 1000 gin weight. No larvae and only 2 immatures were found. Breeding occurs from mid September through early October. A nest containing 153 eggs was found on September 27. The vast majority of hellbenders was taken frorn under large limestone slabs in shallow water with a moderate to stTong flow. The density of hellbenders was dependent on the type of streambed material and the number of large flat rocks to proddc shd tered daytimE' rct:--cats and nests. In the Blue River the population of hell benders appea:rs t(, be sustaining itself and should not be in any danger of extinction unless there are major changes in the watershed. It is proposed that this species be placed on the Indiana endangered species 1 due to the reduction of its range in the last fifty years.

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