The common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a species of large-bodied, fully aquatic salamander that has declined across its range in recent decades. 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) is a lampricide used to control the invasive sea lamprey and is considered responsible for large scale die offs of common mudpuppies in the Great Lakes region. The long-term consequences of these die offs for mudpuppy populations have been understudied and mudpuppy natural history is poorly understood due to historically low capture rates. My research aims to better understand the long-term population implications of TFM. I conducted a capture-mark-recapture study of a TFM-exposed and a TFM-unexposed mudpuppy population in Ohio. I estimated population trends, survival rates, and growth rates of mudpuppies from these two populations. I also conducted a population viability analysis for a TFM-exposed population under different TFM treatment scenarios. My results will be imperative to managers and aquatic biologists deciding best practices for TFM use with mudpuppy conservation in mind.   

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Institution: Ohio State University

Lead Researcher: Ryan Wagner

PI: Bill Peterman

Technicians: John Buffington, Marnie Behan, Madie Stein

Collaborators: Tim Matson, Greg Orr, Greg Lipps