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Distribution of Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) and Their Habitat in New York's Susquehanna River Watershed.
- Source :
-
Northeastern Naturalist . 2024, Vol. 31 Issue 2, p163-180. 18p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Accurate assessment of species distribution is a critical component in conservation planning. We utilized a multi-method approach to assessing the distribution of Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Hellbender) and the habitat the species occupies in the New York portion of the Susquehanna River watershed, including a ground-validated species-distribution model (SDM), visual assessment of rock cover, rock-lifting surveys, and eDNA sampling. Suitable rock cover was sparsely distributed, and Hellbender distribution was limited to a small subset of the study area. Hellbenders were detected at 9 of 22 historic sites, suggesting considerable decline. Only a single individual was captured, but eDNA identified Hellbender presence at 13 of 51 sites. We suggest that a multi-method approach integrating SDM and eDNA is more effective for monitoring low-density populations than traditional field methods alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SPECIES distribution
*HISTORIC sites
*HABITATS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10926194
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Northeastern Naturalist
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 178207436
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1656/045.031.0202