Assessing the effects of conductivity on egg development and survival of Eastern Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis).

ABSTRACT: Increasing concentrations of dissolved ions in freshwater ecosystems often stem from anthropogenic sources and have been implicated in the decline of sensitive aquatic organisms. Eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) are fully aquatic salamanders that are experiencing range-wide declines and increased conductivity has been suggested as a cause. Declining populations are skewed towards older age classes, indicating a lack of successful reproduction (i.e., population recruitment). Therefore, insights into mechanisms that may cause mortality in early life stages are of great value to hellbender conservation. We conducted an experimental study to evaluate the effects of increased conductivity on the survival and development of hellbender eggs and newly hatched larvae. Wild-coll

SUBMITTER: Brown RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11861594 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature