Department Chair
Dr. Daniel Potts
Date of Award
1-2021
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Name
Biology, M.A.
Department
Biology Department
Advisor
Dr. Christopher Pennuto
First Reader
Dr. Christopher Pennuto
Second Reader
Dr. Amy McMillan
Third Reader
Dr. Robert Warren
Abstract
Environmental context changes the behavior and morphology of organisms. The impacts of flow on sampling techniques and morphology of the Common Mudpuppy were investigated during this study. I also explored mudpuppy distribution in western New York, diet, sexual dimorphism, seasonality, and capture biases. I found rock turning to be more efficient in streams year-round and modified minnow traps to be better more efficient in cold weather months and in deeper habitats than in other seasons or habitats. During the hot weather months, mudpuppy diet consisted of invertebrates exclusively, whereas diets in cold weather months consisted of invertebrates plus vertebrate prey. Body condition reflected the change in diet, with larger body condition when large prey items were found in gut contents. Stream-captured mudpuppies were more streamlined and possessed larger digits than lake-captured mudpuppies. Mudpuppy morphological differences between habitat types indicate phenotypic plasticity as the likely mechanism of morphological change when viewed in light of other published phylogenetic work on regional haplotypes. The findings of morphological response to flow warrant more investigation with common garden experiments. Expanding the common garden experiment to encompass future changes in temperature will help inform managers on how climate change may affect mudpuppy populations.
Recommended Citation
Haines, Adam M., "Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) distribution, diet and seasonality in western New York and morphological condition in lake and stream habitats." (2021). Biology Theses. 44.
https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/biology_theses/44
