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Wilson Cook , Danielle
 
Brezinski, Brian
 
White, Brennan
 
WLFW Pollinator Conservation Series: Session #5 SWAP & Listed Species in the Southeast
Session 5 of WLFW Pollinator Conservation Webinar series, presented by Celia Vuocolo, WLFW Pollinator Coordinator-East with Quail Forever & USDA-NRCS. Topics covered include an overview of a selection of State Wildlife Action Plan SGCNs and federal/state listed pollinator species. Conservation planning strategies for planners and biologists.
Kauffman, Gary
 
Teske, Casey
 
Adams, Jeff
 
Aldinger, Kyle
 
Thompson, Isaac
 
Rojas, Fernanda
 
Conservation Corridor August 2023 Newsletter
Conservation Corridor August Newsletter
Holden, Geoffrey
 
Phipps, Lisa
 
Ivey, Michaella
 
Outreach - Bio. Sci. Tech (Aquatic)
Please see the attached file pertaining to seasonal opportunities with the Cherokee NF.
Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative
The Southeastern Hellbender Conservation Initiative (SEHCI), a collaboration between Defenders of Wildlife, NRCS and other conservation partners to support farmers using conservation practices on their lands that help restore hellbender habitat.
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) is an inclusive partnership dedicated to the conservation of the herpetofauna--reptiles and amphibians--and their habitats. Our membership comes from all walks of life and includes individuals from state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, museums, pet trade industry, nature centers, zoos, energy industry, universities, herpetological organizations, research laboratories, forest industries, and environmental consultants. The diversity of our membership makes PARC the most comprehensive conservation effort ever undertaken for amphibians and reptiles.
Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) Populations in West Virginia, USA
The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a North American salamander species in decline throughout its range. Efforts to identify the causes of decline have included surveillance for the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which has been associated with global amphibian population losses. We evaluated the prevalence of Bd in 42 hellbenders at four sites in West Virginia, US, from June to September 2013, using standard swab protocols and real-time PCR. Overall prevalence of Bd was 52% (22/42; 37.7–66.6%; 95% confidence interval). Prevalence was highest in individuals with body weight ≥695 g (χ2=7.2487, df=1, P=0.007), and was higher in montane sampling sites than lowland sites (t=−2.4599, df=44, P=0.02). While increased prevalence in montane sampling sites was expected, increased prevalence in larger hellbenders was unexpected and hypothesized to be associated with greater surface area for infection or prolonged periods of exposure in older, larger hellbenders. Wild hellbenders have not been reported to display clinical disease associated with Bd; however, prevalence in the population is important information for evaluating reservoir status and risk to other species, and as a baseline for investigation in the face of an outbreak of clinical disease.
Noninvasive Method for a Statewide Survey of Eastern Hellbenders Cryptobranchus alleganiensis Using Environmental DNA
Traditional survey methods of aquatic organisms may be difficult, lengthy, and destructive to the habitat. Some methods are invasive and can be harmful to the target species. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) has proven to be effective at detecting low population density aquatic macroorganisms. This study refined the technique to support statewide surveys. Hellbender presence was identified by using hellbender specific primers (cytochrome b gene) to detect eDNA in water samples collected at rivers, streams and creeks in Ohio and Kentucky with historical accounts of the imperiled eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis). Two sampling protocols are described; both significantly reduced the amount of water required for collection from the previously described 6 L collection. Two-liter samples were adequate to detect hellbender presence in natural waterways where hellbenders have been previously surveyed in both Ohio and Kentucky—1 L samples were not reliable. DNA extracted from 3 L of water collected onto multiple filters (1 L/filter) could be combined and concentrated through ethanol precipitation, supporting amplification of hellbender DNA and dramatically reducing the filtration time. This method improves the efficiency and welfare implications of sampling methods for reclusive aquatic species of low population density for statewide surveys that involve collecting from multiple watersheds.
Environmental DNA improves Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) detection over conventional sampling methods
Effective conservation planning relies on accurate species detection. However, conventional sampling methods used for detecting rare and cryptic aquatic species suffer from low probabilities of detection. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as an innovative and powerful sampling tool for detecting aquatic species, with previous studies suggesting a detection advantage over conventional sampling. However, comparative studies often fail to consider the appropriate sampling frameworks to adequately compare sampling methodologies and account for the influence of environmental variables on eDNA detection probabilities. In this study, we paired two detection methods (eDNA and physical sampling) at 22 sites in West Virginia, USA, to compare the probability of detecting a cryptic, elusive, and imperiled species of giant salamander, the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). We used a multimethod occupancy modeling framework to compare method‐specific detection probabilities using a suite of predictor variables based on environmental conditions thought to influence hellbender detection. We detected hellbenders at 19/22 sites using eDNA and at 13/22 sites using physical sampling methods. The best supported model indicated that detection probability for eDNA (0.84 ± 0.06) was three times higher than conventional methods (0.28 ± 0.07). Water turbidity was the best predictor of hellbender detection and negatively impacted our ability to detect eDNA. We failed to detect an association between eDNA concentration and hellbender catch per unit effort. Our study supports previous findings that suggest eDNA sampling methods greatly increase the probability of detecting aquatic species. However, with little known about the influence of environmental variables on eDNA detection, our results highlight the negative influence turbidity and other physiochemical factors have on eDNA detection and suggest that further research on eDNA detection in turbid environments is needed.