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• Taxonomy
• Status
• Distribution
• Habitat Associations
• Food Habits
• Niche Requirements
• Life History Information
• Management
• References

Taxonomy

Common Name: HELLBENDER, OZARK

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: AMPHIBIA

Order: CAUDATA

Family: CRYPTOBRANCHIDAE

Genus: CRYPTOBRANCHUS

Species: ALLEGANIENSIS

SubSpecies: BISHOPI

Taxonomic Authority: GROBMAN

Taxonomy References: 002 , 015 , 017

Status

FEDERAL ENDANGERED
NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1

Status References: 003 , 013 , 014 , 019 , 020

Habitat Summary

"Inhabit riffles in streams with gravel or rubble bottoms. Lay eggs under large flat rocks."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Found in south Missouri in the Black river and the North Fork of the White river *01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence

Known	Likely	Unknown	Not Likely	Historic	Extirpated
CARTER	REYNOLDS	HOWELL	ADAIR
DENT	RIPLEY		ANDREW
DOUGLAS	TEXAS		ATCHISON
OREGON	WAYNE		AUDRAIN
OZARK			BARRY
SHANNON			BARTON
			BATES
			BENTON
			BOLLINGER
			BOONE
			BUCHANAN
			BUTLER
			CALDWELL
			CALLAWAY
			CAMDEN
			CAPE GIRARDEAU
			CARROLL
			CASS
			CEDAR
			CHARITON
			CHRISTIAN
			CLARK
			CLAY
			CLINTON
			COLE
			COOPER
			CRAWFORD
			DADE
			DALLAS
			DAVIESS
			DEKALB
			DUNKLIN
			FRANKLIN
			GASCONADE
			GENTRY
			GREENE
			GRUNDY
			HARRISON
			HENRY
			HICKORY
			HOLT
			HOWARD
			IRON
			JACKSON
			JASPER
			JEFFERSON
			JOHNSON
			KNOX
			LACLEDE
			LAFAYETTE
			LAWRENCE
			LEWIS
			LINCOLN
			LINN
			LIVINGSTON
			MACON
			MADISON
			MARIES
			MARION
			MCDONALD
			MERCER
			MILLER
			MISSISSIPPI
			MONITEAU
			MONROE
			MONTGOMERY
			MORGAN
			NEW MADRID
			NEWTON
			NODAWAY
			OSAGE
			PEMISCOT
			PERRY
			PETTIS
			PHELPS
			PIKE
			PLATTE
			POLK
			PULASKI
			PUTNAM
			RALLS
			RANDOLPH
			RAY
			SALINE
			SCHUYLER
			SCOTLAND
			SCOTT
			SHELBY
			ST. CHARLES
			ST. CLAIR
			ST. FRANCOIS
			ST. LOUIS
			STE. GENEVIEVE
			STODDARD
			STONE
			SULLIVAN
			TANEY
			VERNON
			WARREN
			WASHINGTON
			WEBSTER
			WORTH
			WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 011 , 018

Distribution by Watersheds

North Fork White R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork
Eleven Point R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in listed units, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark: St. Francois Mountains
Ozark: Elk River
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
"Probably eat aquatic insects and small crayfish *09*."

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
"Probably eat aquatic insects and small crayfish *09*."

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Cypriniformes (minnows, carps, suckers); Not Specified
Perciformes (bass, sunfishes, perches, drums, sculpins); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Oligochaetes (earthworms); Not Specified
Molluscs; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 006 , 009 , 010

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding larvae niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for resting Larvae niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Underwater cover: large flat rock

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 010 , 016

Niche Requirement Summary

Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
Underwater cover: large flat rock
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: permanently flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
007	Breed in fall, late September to November *01*, though breeding season may varies among populations *11*
018	Clutch 250-400 *01*
021	Male guards nest with eggs *11* at 330-380 mm tl (7-8 yrs) *10*
022	Mature at 5-6 yrs, females at 238 mm snout-vent length, males at 247 mm snout-vent length *06*. Smallest mature female in MO study 385 mm total length *11*.
024	Male:female sex ratio 1:1 in North Fork of White R., 1:2.45 in Eleven Point R. *11*
035	Parasites include leeches *06,11*, cestodes, nematodes, trematodes, protozoans, and acanthocephalans *11*. Diseases include fungal infections *11* predators include man, turtles, snakes, pike, muskellunge, catfish, and other hellbenders *11*. Predation probably minimal for individuals greater than 380 mm tl (9-10 yrs) *10*
099	Larvae take over 2 years to transform *01*. Usually solitary, only 1 at a time found under a rock, though a rock may be used by more than 1 individual *08*. Little movement, in one study, 70% moved less than30 m from tagging site, 34% were recaptured at tagging site *08*. Density estimate in MO study 1 per 6-7 sq m to 1 per 13-16 sq m *10*. In MO study of both subspecies, densities ranged from .9-6.1 per 100 sq. M *12*
038	In MO study, growth decreased linearly as a function of total length *12*. Maximum length approximately 407 cm tl, largest specimen taken in MO study assumed to be greater than25 yrs old *10*
041	A MO study found 365 eggs/female (300 mm tl) in the Eleven Point R., also found that fecundity was positively correlated with body length *12*
012	Eggs laid under rocks *01,11*, planks, or submerged logs *11*
030	Some diurnal activity has been observed *11*

Life History Information

Periodicity: active at night
Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Fecundity specified in comments(041)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites: feed on bottom of stream, lake or pond
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Spawning site: rocks
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Parental care of young specified in comments(021)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)
Sex ratio specified in comments(024)
Territoriality: defends breeding and nesting territory

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
007	Breed in fall, late September to November *01*, though breeding season may varies among populations *11*
018	Clutch 250-400 *01*
021	Male guards nest with eggs *11* at 330-380 mm tl (7-8 yrs) *10*
022	Mature at 5-6 yrs, females at 238 mm snout-vent length, males at 247 mm snout-vent length *06*. Smallest mature female in MO study 385 mm total length *11*.
024	Male:female sex ratio 1:1 in North Fork of White R., 1:2.45 in Eleven Point R. *11*
035	Parasites include leeches *06,11*, cestodes, nematodes, trematodes, protozoans, and acanthocephalans *11*. Diseases include fungal infections *11* predators include man, turtles, snakes, pike, muskellunge, catfish, and other hellbenders *11*. Predation probably minimal for individuals greater than 380 mm tl (9-10 yrs) *10*
099	Larvae take over 2 years to transform *01*. Usually solitary, only 1 at a time found under a rock, though a rock may be used by more than 1 individual *08*. Little movement, in one study, 70% moved less than30 m from tagging site, 34% were recaptured at tagging site *08*. Density estimate in MO study 1 per 6-7 sq m to 1 per 13-16 sq m *10*. In MO study of both subspecies, densities ranged from .9-6.1 per 100 sq. M *12*
038	In MO study, growth decreased linearly as a function of total length *12*. Maximum length approximately 407 cm tl, largest specimen taken in MO study assumed to be greater than25 yrs old *10*
041	A MO study found 365 eggs/female (300 mm tl) in the Eleven Point R., also found that fecundity was positively correlated with body length *12*
012	Eggs laid under rocks *01,11*, planks, or submerged logs *11*
030	Some diurnal activity has been observed *11*

References for life history: 001 , 006 , 008 , 010 , 011 , 012

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - stabilize streambanks
Water - restrict human disturbance

Beneficial Management References: 009 , 010

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - dredging and filling
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - stream channelization
Water - gravel dredging in streams

Adverse Management References: 009 , 010

Comments on Management:
Gravel dredging is adverse *09,17*

References for Management Comments: 009

References

Reference Code	Citation
001	Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
002	Unpb Johnson, T.R. Checklist Of Missouri Amphibians. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
003	The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004	Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005	Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006	Dundee, H.A. and D.S. Dundee, 1965. Observations On The Systematics And Ecology Of Cryptobranchus From The Ozark Plateaus Of Missouri And Arkansas. Copeia 1965(3):369-370.
007	Taber, C.A., R.F. Wilkinson, Jr., and M.S. Topping. 1975. Age And Growth Of Hellbenders In The Niangua River, Missouri. Copeia 1975(4) 633-639.
008	Nickerson, M.A. and C.E. Mays. 1973. A Study Of The Ozark Hellbender Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis Bishopi. Ecology 54:1164-1165.
009	Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
010	Peterson, C.L., R.F. Wilkinson, Jr., M.S. Topping and D.E. Metter. 1983. Age And Growth Of The Ozark Hellbender (Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis Bishopi). Copeia 1983:225-231.
011	Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
012	Peterson, C.L., D.E. Matter, B.T. Miller, R.F. Wilkinson, and M.S. Topping. 1988. Demography Of The Hellbender Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis In The Ozarks. Amer. Midl. Nat. 119(2):291-
013	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. List Of Missouri Animal Notice Species, February 2, 1989. U.S. Fws, P.O. Box 1506, Columbia, Mo 65205.
014	Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2007. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. MO Dept. of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO. 51 pp.
015	Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
016	Fobes, T.M. and R.F. Wilkinson, Jr. 1994. Preliminary Results Of A Critical Habitat Analysis Of The Ozark Hellbender. Missouri Herpetol. Assoc. Newsletter 7:2.
017	Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.
018	Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
019	Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2011. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. pp. 55.
020	Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2012. Missouri species and communities of conservation concern checklist. Missouri Department of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO. pp.51.