Habitat Analysis of the Ozark Hellbender, Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis Bishopi, in Missouri

The habitat of the Ozark hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi, was investigated in the Northfork of the White River, Ozark County, Missouri. Microhabitat variables of water depth, current velocity, substrate, and embeddedness were measured for 259 hellbenders. A principal component analysis demonstrated all microhabitat variables were important to hellbenders. Sites with hellbender populations had available cover rocks at significantly greater depths, larger substrates and less embeddedness. Sites with hellbender populations also had significantly more cover rocks and available microhabitat. There was a high correlation between hellbender abundance and available microhabitat, suggesting habitat limits population size. Hellbenders selected cover rocks within sites at significantly greater water depths, faster current velocity, and lower embeddedness.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1995

Author dc:creator

• Fobes, Timothy Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert Wilkinson

• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• © Timothy Matthew Fobes

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/214

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1215