Age and Growth of the Ozark Hellbender
Date of Graduation
Summer 1979
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Robert Wilkinson
Abstract
Length-specific growth rates of Ozark hellbenders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi, from the North Fork of the White River, Missouri, were calculated by regression from growth of marked and recaptured hellbenders. Growth rates declined steadily after transformation, going from about 74 mm total-length increase per year at 18 months to about one mm annual increase at 18 years of age. Male and female hellbenders grew at similar rates, although more females lived longer and were larger. The growth model predicts longevity in excess of 20 years and a maximum length of 447 mm, although 5.9% of the population collected in July and fall of two years exceeded this length. The population was dominated by long-surviving, slow-growing hellbenders. Analysis of covariance indicated a significant difference in the length-growth and length-weight relationships of hellbenders from the North Fork and Niangua Rivers in Missouri.
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Chris L Peterson
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Chris L., "Age and Growth of the Ozark Hellbender" (1979). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 636.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/636
Dissertation/Thesis
