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... The use of baited, modified minnow traps is a common collection technique for mudpuppies, although it may not be the most efficient (Craig et al., 2015;Murphy et al., 2016). Chellman et al. (2017) found that Common Mudpuppy TR success was highest in spring after rain events and when water temperature was~3-68C. ...
... Chellman et al. (2017) found that Common Mudpuppy TR success was highest in spring after rain events and when water temperature was~3-68C. Researchers have suggested that trap susceptibility of mudpuppies declined with increasing water temperatures in both lentic and lotic environments, which further suggests that activity slows during warm weather (e.g., Murphy et al., 2016;Beattie et al., 2017). Several recent studies have discussed the differences between and effectiveness of survey methods for Common Mudpuppies. ...
... Several recent studies have discussed the differences between and effectiveness of survey methods for Common Mudpuppies. In stream locations, modified Briggler traps were found to be more effective than modified minnow traps (Murphy et al., 2016). Beattie et al. (2017) suggested traps collected significantly larger animals than were captured during RT. ...
The Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus (Rafinesque, 1818)) is found in many watersheds from eastern Canada to the southeastern United States. Although its range is large, recent observations suggest its population is dwindling in the Great Lakes region. A lack of understanding about its distribution at a finer scale or whether diet and body condition exhibit seasonal patterns limits our ability to develop a conservation management plan. This study investigated seasonal changes in Common Mudpuppy diets and body condition across western New York (USA) over a 2-yr period by using rock turning (RT) and trapping (TR) collection methods. Common Mudpuppies were found in all four major watersheds of the region in both lentic and lotic habitats. RT was more efficient than TR in streams, whereas TR was a better option in lakes. Male-to-female sex ratios and four of five measured morphological features did not differ between collection methods, although the largest and smallest Common Mudpuppies were captured by RT, suggesting some size selectivity in TR. Body girth was significantly smaller for Common Mudpuppies collected by RT, and this was attributed to seasonal differences in activity. Stomach contents were varied and differed by season, with 41 unique prey types recovered, including several forms of microplastics. In summer and fall, Common Mudpuppies fed on invertebrates exclusively, but during winter and spring, fish were incorporated into the diet. Body condition reflected the change in diet, with a higher body condition when fish were present in the diet. These findings suggest seasonal data are necessary to fully understand Common Mudpuppy conservation needs.
... and decreased activity at increased water temperatures, contribute to a need for the simultaneous use of multiple capture techniques to effectively understand recruitment or to estimate overall populations (Murphy et al. 2016;Beattie et al. 2017). Beattie et al. (2017) utilized two techniques for capture, rock flipping and modified minnow traps, and found that larger individuals were more frequently caught in minnow traps. ...
... Beattie et al. (2017) utilized two techniques for capture, rock flipping and modified minnow traps, and found that larger individuals were more frequently caught in minnow traps. Multiple Mudpuppy capture methods (e.g., seining, set lines, fish trapnets, electroshocking, manual surveying, and modified minnow traps) have been used, but these techniques have low capture success as reviewed in Murphy et al. (2016). Although minnow traps are currently the most frequently used survey method, a combination of capture techniques is often more successful given Mudpuppies' wide range and seasonal differences in habitat use (McDaniel et al. 2009;Murphy et al. 2016). ...
... Multiple Mudpuppy capture methods (e.g., seining, set lines, fish trapnets, electroshocking, manual surveying, and modified minnow traps) have been used, but these techniques have low capture success as reviewed in Murphy et al. (2016). Although minnow traps are currently the most frequently used survey method, a combination of capture techniques is often more successful given Mudpuppies' wide range and seasonal differences in habitat use (McDaniel et al. 2009;Murphy et al. 2016). Utilizing multiple capture techniques can be costly and time prohibitive due to additional equipment and personnel needs. ...
Here, we describe a modified method for deployment and retrieval of a large number of minnow traps that can be rapidly deployed by an individual or few researchers. This technique reduces research costs and effort, allowing for sampling without additional personnel or unnecessary spending. Historically, when open water was present, traps were attached individually to roots or trees on the shoreline (Murphy et al. 2016; Beattie et al. 2017). This method of deployment is time consuming and allows the opportunity for unwanted trap tampering by non-researchers.Our modified trap deployment method increases capture opportunities, allows for traps to be set untethered from shore, and
decreases time expenditure to the extent that a second technique, e.g., rock flipping, can be employed simultaneously, which can improve capture success. The time spent deploying traps using our method is dependent upon the numbers of researchers, researchers’ familiarity of trap design, weather conditions or season, and number of Mudpuppies caught each day.
... To achieve this, Mudpuppy are captured, then visually inspected for the presence of suspected glochidia. Mudpuppy are easy to capture (when abundant) and it is costeffective (Murphy et al. 2016). ...
... "Noodling under rocks" is carried out during the day and consists of wading or snorkeling while flipping large flat rocks (Murphy et al. 2016) and looking under submerged debris. The duration of time spent surveying each site is relative to the total area of available habitat. ...
... Although trapping has shown year round success (reviewed by Murphy et al. 2016), it is most effective from late fall through early spring as this is the primary foraging period for Mudpuppy (Shoop andGunning 1967, Matson 1990). This is also the time of the year when encysted Salamander Mussel glochidia were observed on Mudpuppy gills (DFO unpublished data). ...
Simpsonaias ambigua, Salamander Mussel (previously known as Mudpuppy Mussel) is a freshwater mussel of the Family Unionidae. This species is unique from other unionids as it uses Necturus maculosus (Mudpuppy), as a host instead of a fish. This mussel is found within medium to large rivers or lakes, in areas of swift current almost exclusively beneath large, flat stones or under ledges of rock walls. Salamander Mussel was assessed as Endangered in Canada in 2001 and this status was re-affirmed in 2011. This document describes three different field methods that can be used to find live S. ambigua in Ontario with step-by-step instructions: traditional surveys in wadable water (Rock Flipping), environmental DNA (eDNA), and capturing the host to inspect for signs of encysted glochidia (Mudpuppy Capture). Rock Flipping in wadable rivers was shown to be the best method for detecting extant populations of S. ambigua and is the only method that allows for an estimation of population health (direct handling permitting counting and measuring of individuals). The other two methods are suitable when exploring large areas for the first time, as they help narrow the search area using traditional surveys or when Rock Flipping is not possible.
Simpsonaias ambigua, ou mulette du Necture (auparavant appelée mulette du Necturus) est une moule d’eau douce de la famille des unionidés. Cette espèce se distingue des autres unionidés, car elle utilise comme hôte Necturus maculosus (necture tacheté) plutôt qu’un poisson. On trouve cette moule dans les eaux agitées de lacs et rivières de moyenne ou grande taille, presque exclusivement sous de grosses pierres plates ou sous des bordures rocheuses. La mulette du Necture a été désignée comme espèce en voie de disparition au Canada en 2001, et ce statut a été renouvelé en 2011. Le présent document décrit trois méthodes– accompagnées d’instructions détaillées – qui peuvent être utilisées sur le terrain pour trouver des spécimens vivants de S. ambigua en Ontario : faire des relevés classiques en eaux peu profondes (retourner des pierres), effectuer une analyse de l’ADN environnemental (ADNe) ou capturer l’hôte de la mulette du Necture pour chercher des signes de glochidies enkystées (capturer un necture tacheté). Le retournement de pierres en eaux peu profondes s’est révélé être la méthode la plus efficace pour détecter les populations existantes de S. ambigua. De plus, c’est la seule méthode qui permet d’estimer l’état de santé de la population (manipuler les mulettes permet de les compter et de les mesurer). Les deux autres méthodes conviennent au moment de l’exploration initiale de grandes zones, car elles permettent de restreindre la zone de recherche pour ensuite effectuer des relevés classiques, et dans les situations où il est impossible de retourner les pierres.
... Data are limited in part because Mudpuppies are secretive and can be difficult to detect. Even when a combination of field survey methods is employed, low capture rates can be a problem (Murphy et al., 2016). Therefore, we sought to develop a complimentary rapid assessment technique for Mudpuppies using environmental DNA (eDNA). ...
Habitat destruction and anthropogenic drivers have led to amphibian population declines worldwide, but the conservation status of many species remains in question. This study reports on the distribution of Mudpuppies, Necturus maculosus, in southeast Ohio, where widespread acid mine drainage and other forms of habitat destruction have led to severe declines and extinction in many waterways. Within the last century, however, the region has reforested, and damage to some streams has been mitigated, providing opportunities for Mudpuppy recolonization and population recovery. However, being a relatively secretive species, Mudpuppies require difficult and time intensive field surveys to detect. Therefore, the current distribution and conservation status of Mudpuppies in southeast Ohio is unclear. As a first step in documenting the current distribution and abundance of Mudpuppies in southeast Ohio, we conducted a rapid species assessment using environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys (September–November 2016) at 10 stream sites. We detected Mudpuppies at six of 10 streams using eDNA, including four streams in which they were known to occur from historical records and two streams from which Mudpuppies had not been previously reported. We also collected habitat data at each site, including concentrations of heavy metals and nutrients, physical stream habitat, conductivity, pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, and oxygen levels. Using logistic regression, we found composite Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) scores were the best predictor of Mudpuppy presence. Our results suggest Mudpuppy eDNA is not easily detected when they are at low density, and animals may need to be within approximately 182 m of sampling points to be detected.
... All tissue sampling took place between August 2013 and September 2015. For a full description of field methods, see Murphy, Price, Hime, Drayer, and Weisrock (2016 ...
Population structure and gene flow of species in lotic environments can be constrained by river network architecture, species life history and heterogeneous local barriers. Identifying the factors that influence population structure and gene flow, especially in species limited to movement within a river network, is vital for understanding the evolutionary and demographic history of a species.
We explored population structure and gene flow for a fully aquatic salamander, the common mudpuppy ( Necturus maculosus ), in Kentucky ( USA ) using genomic data. We examined population structure using both parametric and nonparametric methods, and we tested for a history of lineage divergence among identified genetic clusters. We quantified the partitioning of genetic variation at different hierarchical levels, and we tested for signatures of isolation by distance. Additionally, we used coalescent‐based model selection to identify a best‐fit model of gene flow between our three sampled basins.
We found the greatest support for population structure between the Kentucky River basin and the combined Licking and Kinniconick basins, with further subdivision within both the Kentucky and Licking River basins. However, we found no evidence for a history of lineage divergence among these structured units. The movement of N. maculosus is constrained by the lotic network architecture, which likely drives the evolution of this hierarchical population structure, with increasing differentiation between sites nested in river basins, and even greater differentiation between basins. However, we also found evidence for population structure not explained by river architecture, with an isolated population embedded within the Kentucky River basin.
This study demonstrates the heterogeneity in population structure that can evolve in aquatic species occupying lotic systems and illustrates the potential for genomic data to disentangle these complex patterns.
Whether considering an expanding non-native species or a priority native species with a dwindling local population, the monitoring of low-abundance, sporadically distributed, or otherwise elusive populations, can prove difficult. In separate studies, we tested the viability of environmental DNA (eDNA) for monitoring a species in both of the above circumstances, the common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), a spreading non-native species, and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), a declining species of concern. Mudpuppy are fully aquatic salamanders that were introduced to the Belgrade region of central Maine in 1939 and again in 1940. Though they had been present for nearly 80 years when this study began, their ecological impacts and secondary spread have not been well documented. Following a year of trapping through the winter ice, eDNA methods were added concurrently with traditional trapping techniques to demine if detection could be improved in order to better document secondary spread and estimate abundance. Overall, eDNA was helpful in this effort as mudpuppy were detected in all but one waterbody where they were trapped and in two where they were not. Occupancy models were used to estimate survey power and sampling efforts for 95% probability of detection based on our data. Trapping and eDNA showed comparable power at the level of lake regions and number of sampling holes. However, when looking at the level of technical replicates, trap data required 6.4 replicates (trapping events) while eDNA required 10.9 (qPCR replicates). However, the amount of work and expense to obtain qPCR replicates is likely less than to implement additional days of trapping. Trap and eDNA sampling depth data were also used to gain preliminary insight on environmental preferences. Kologorov Smirnoff tests comparing overall depth distribution and individual mudpuppy caught at a given trap site did not reveal an observable trend in depth preferences. T-tests revealed a modest preference for 4-8m depths, but this was likely due to depths available in study sites as opposed to true biological preference. Overall, the combined results of trapping and eDNA sampling both suggest that the mudpuppy invasion has been relatively gradual, and provided baseline occupancy information for potential future assessments of range expansion. In the second study of this thesis, we assessed eDNA as a means to monitor anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), a species of special conservation concern in Maine. As anadromous fish, rainbow smelt migrate up streams and rivers to spawn during the early spring period when typical nighttime visual surveys can be difficult or even dangerous. As such, the current use of many coastal streams for spawning is poorly known. We hypothesized that eDNA might facilitate improved survey efforts to define smelt spawning habitat. However, the lotic environments and behavior of smelt present potential challenges for eDNA. Rainbow smelt often enter smaller streams at night and depart by morning, such that fish eDNA might be flushed out of the system relatively quickly. By combining daytime eDNA sampling with fyke netting, we confirmed that smelt eDNA could be detected up to weeks following peak spawning events. Indeed, there was some evidence that concentration of eDNA (copies/L) rose over the approximately 8-13 days following spawning events, suggesting developing and hatching smelt larvae might be the primary source of residual eDNA. Adding to this study, we conducted eDNA surveys in four streams of varying smelt abundance and estimated sampling effort for 95% detection probability using occupancy modelling. Ultimately, results suggested that at the stream with least detections, sampling effort involving collection of three water samples, collected on three days, and analyzed with six qPCR replicates would provide ≥ 95% detection probability. Comparing those recommendations to the sampling design used in this study, the number of qPCR replicates used was the only sampling value below our generated recommendations. These results demonstrate that eDNA methods can be effective for monitoring smelt in lotic systems during their breeding period, particularly with a modest increase in sample processing effort to increase detection probabilities.
Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus) are secretive, fully aquatic salamanders with a range that spans much of the eastern United States and Canada including the Great Lakes region. Although this species was once abundant, there have been widespread declines due to habitat loss and modification, pollution, lampricide use, and overcollection. We compared environmental DNA (eDNA) and trapping surveys conducted from 2014 to 2016 to determine Mudpuppy occupancy along the St. Clair-Detroit River System, where this indicator species could be a gauge for success of ongoing restoration. Mudpuppy eDNA was detected at all sites with positive trapping records, as well as one site where individuals have not been trapped previously. Sites with shoreline restoration had the highest occupancy estimates, whereas deep-water restoration did not affect Mudpuppy occupancy. Additionally, eDNA surveys resulted in higher detection probability than setline and minnow trap survey methods, illustrating the benefit of using eDNA to detect secretive species. This study demonstrates the success of restoration efforts in increasing the occupancy of an indicator species and can be used as a template for other restoration initiatives.
