The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) is a fully-aquatic salamander species. They live in cool, fast, and highly-oxygenated streams in the Appalachian Mountains. Sadly, this species has been on the decline since the 1970’s, and climate change continues to pose threats against them (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources).
A study by Terrell et al. (2021) analyzed the potential physiological affects of climate change on hellbenders. In a laboratory setting, growth rates and immune system functions were studied at a variety of temperatures to test Eastern Hellbenders ability to cope with climate change. It was found that both growth rate and immune function suffered at higher temperatures. Hellbender immune systems were found to be most susceptible at high and low temperatures. While global average temperatures are rising, it is also predicted that we will have lower minimum temperatures. Exposure to both higher and lower temperatures could cause problems for hellbender immune health. The salamanders experienced slower growth rates during warmer summer temperatures following the breeding season. This lack of growth after an energy-demanding reproduction phase, may lead to population struggles with warming temperatures.
Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). Photo courtesy of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Eastern Hellbenders are already threatened or endangered in many of the states they inhabit (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources). With a changing climate, these animals will continue to struggle. Much effort and continued research is necessary if we wish to save the beloved hellbender.
References:
Eastern Hellender. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/eastern-hellbender/
Terrell KA, Quintero RP, Galicia VA, Bronikowski E, Evans M, Kleopfer JD, Murray S, Murphy JB, Nissen BD, Gratwicke B (2021) Physiological impacts of temperature variability and climate warming in hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). Conservation Physiology 9 (1). doi:10.1093/conphys/coab079