Food Habits, Starvation and Growth in the Hellbender, Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis
Date of Graduation
Summer 1976
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Robert Wilkinson
Abstract
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis were captured from the Niangua River of Missouri throughout 1974 for a food habits study. Crayfish were the dominant food item, with fish secondary; together, they constituted over 90 percent of stomach content weights in all months. Both fish and crayfish showed seasonal patterns of occurrence in the samples. Ten animals were starved up to 220 days, exhibiting very gradual decreases in weight. Eight animals were maintained at constant weights to determine subsistance levels. Growth sufficient for determination of conversion ratios and efficiencies was attained five times. All but one animal showed conversion ratios between 4 and 5. Animals very closely followed growth rate predictions of Taber, Wilkinson and Topping (1975).
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Jamie Nevelle Wiggs
Recommended Citation
Wiggs, Jamie Nevelle, "Food Habits, Starvation and Growth in the Hellbender, Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis" (1976). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 649.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/649
Dissertation/Thesis
