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Mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus) have the broadest distribution of any fully aquatic salamander in North America but population trends are poorly understood. There are no demographic data for Mudpuppies in Indiana despite indications of population declines. Considering the dramatic decline of Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) in Indiana, it is important to understand Mudpuppy population trends to ensure that similar declines are not occurring. Thirteen new county records for Mudpuppies are presented and the first published evidence of breeding in the state in almost a century. Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua) records and the geographic inconsistencies between the known distributions of these two intimately-linked species are also discussed. Mudpuppies should be the subject of more extensive monitoring and conservation efforts to better understand their conservation needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stocking of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to control mosquitos has been shown to negatively impact native fishes, especially species with similar ecological requirements such as topminnows. As a result, using fish species (e.g., blackstripe topminnow; Fundulus notatiis) that are native and rarely exhibit aggressive behaviors toward ecological equivalents may serve as a non-intrusive means of mosquito control. In this study, a series of laboratory microcosm experiments were used to examine intra- and interspecific agonistic behavioral interactions (e.g., chases and nips) between blackstripe topminnow and northern starhead topminnow (Fundulus dispar), northern studfish (F. catenatus), and banded killifish (F. diaphanus) at three different fish density combinations and in the presence or absence of vegetation. Few agonistic behaviors were exhibited toward conspecifics, but interspecific chasing and nipping did occur, albeit it at low levels, in the presence of blackstripe topminnow. The number of these interspecific chases and nips was not influenced by vegetation or topminnow species density. Fin damage incurred by topminnows was minimal, regardless if tanks contained only individuals of the same species or another species (blackstripe topminnow). Three percent of blackstripe topminnows had damage to their caudal fins that was intraspecific in nature, but there was no fin damage for the other three topminnow species. Based on these results, we suggest that blackstripe topminnow be considered as an alternative to western mosquitofish for mosquito control in drainages for which it is a native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Red-Tail Land Conservancy (RLC), the Indiana Academy of Science (IAS), the Robert Cooper Audubon Society, and the Oakwood Retreat Center hosted a biodiversity survey or bioblitz in eastcentral Indiana on the 10lh and 11th June 2017. The event was held on two properties owned or maintained by RLC; i.e.. White River Woods, a 47.4 ha preserved located 9 km southeast of Muncie, Indiana in Delaware County, and McVey Memorial Forest, a 100.4 ha forest located 11 km north of Farmland, Indiana in Randolph County. Over 75 scientists, naturalists, students, and other volunteers on 19 different taxonomic teams observed and reported 1086 taxa during the event. The nineteen taxonomic teams included ants, aquatic macroinvertebrates, bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, odonates, fish, freshwater mussels, herpetofauna, small mammals, moths, mushrooms/fungi and slime molds, non-vascular plants (mosses), singing and non-singing insects, snail-killing flies, spiders, and vascular plants. State endangered species included the northern long-eared bat (Mvotis septentrionalis; also federally threatened), the Indiana bat {My otis socialist; also federally endangered), the cerulean warbler (Setophaga cent lea), the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and warty spurge (Euphorbia obtuscita). In addition shell material of the federal and state endangered Northern Rifflcshell (Epioblasma torulosa remgiana), Clubshell (Pleurobema clava), and Rayed Bean (Villosa fabalis) was found but none are still known live on either property. The spider team recorded six state records: Emblyna hentzi (meshweaver), Gladicosa bellamyi (wolf spider), Pirata triens (pirate wolf spider), Schizocosa mccooki (wolf spider), Oxyopes scalaris (western lynx spider), and Xystieus fervidus (ground crab spider). In addition many Delaware County and Randolph County records were reported. This manuscript presents both a brief history of the bioblitz sites and a summary overview of the results. Detailed results are available on the IAS website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presented here are the results of a biodiversity survey held on July 16-18, 2011 at the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, in Greene County, southwestern Indiana. Fifteen teams (14 taxonomic teams and a biogeochemistry team) surveyed the flora and fauna of ponds, marshes, fields and forest of the ~8,000 acre site and reported 896 taxa: 862 species [20 amphibians and reptiles, 37 bees, 73 beetles, 122 birds, 48 butterflies, nine damselflies, 21 dragonflies, 39 species offish, four freshwater mussels, five fungi and allies, 27 mammals, 74 moths, four snail-killing flies, 379 vascular plants), 16 families of aquatic macroinvertebrates, and 18 genera of plankton. A total of 215 new county records and numerous state-listed species were recorded. The baseline information provided by the survey will inform future management decisions and indicates that the restoration is maturing rapidly and successfully capturing the biological diversity of this portion of southwestern Indiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]