Conservation Status of Hellbenders ( Cryptobranchus alleganiensis ) in Alabama, USA.

摘要

Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) historically occurred in large numbers in the eastern United States,but they have undergone a considerable decline due to habitat modification and its subsequent effects on stream quality.To evaluate the Hellbender’s current status in Alabama, we verified several recent anecdotal sightings of Hellbenders,and conducted 355 person hours of surveys and 31 trap nights in most historical collection localities and at severaladditional sites that we considered suitable for this species. We failed to find any Hellbenders during our survey. IfHellbenders still exist in Alabama, they represent relict populations that occur in very low population densities, and likelywill be extirpated from the state in the near future. The apparent decline and possible extirpation of Hellbenders inAlabama is probably related to degradation of habitat and water quality resulting from large scale impoundments andland use patterns. As such, land use and water utilization practices will likely persist, and we recommend thatconservation efforts intended for this species in Alabama be focused on other species, or on other areas of this species’range where conservation success is more feasible.