The northern mudpuppy (necturus maculosus maculosus), michigans largest fully aquatic salamander, is a keystone species critical to ecosystem health and the obligate host for the state endangered…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-FWS) Region 3 awarded a Cooperative Agreement of $139,750 to Herpetological Resource and Management, LLC (HRM) effective July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, under the Coastal Program (CFDA 15.630). This award funds a comprehensive conservation initiative focused on the Northern Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus maculosus), Michigan's largest fully aquatic salamander and a keystone species for ecosystem health. The project employs acoustic telemetry, PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tagging, and environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to track mudpuppy movement patterns and population dynamics across the St. Clair River, Detroit River, and Belle Isle, with deployment of up to 55 acoustic receivers across 30 miles of riverine habitat. Key deliverables include development of surgical protocols for transmitter implantation, restoration of up to 1,000 linear feet of nearshore habitat with breeding structures, and expansion of eDNA surveys to detect mudpuppies and the state-endangered Salamander Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua) in Lake Erie.

The project integrates scientific research with public engagement and habitat restoration to address critical knowledge gaps regarding mudpuppy habitat use, longevity, and health status in response to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Outreach components include public workshops, citizen science initiatives through the Michigan Herpetological Atlas and Survey123 application, and mortality reduction education. Project outcomes will inform a comprehensive Mudpuppy Conservation Plan for the St. Clair-Detroit River System, advance binational stewardship, and provide replicable methodologies for conservation of linked species dependent on mudpuppy populations, thereby supporting federal and state priorities for habitat restoration, invasive species control, and imperiled species protection.

The northern mudpuppy (necturus maculosus maculosus), michigans largest fully aquatic salamander, is a keystone species critical to ecosystem health and the obligate host for the state endangered and federally candidate-listed salamander mussel (simpsonaias ambigua). Despite their ecological importance as bioindicators of water quality and regulators of invasive species (e.g., round gobies, zebra mussels), mudpuppies face significant declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate shifts. This project addresses urgent knowledge gaps by employing acoustic telemetry, a first for this species, to track spatial and temporal movements, alongside PIT tagging and photo documentation to assess longevity, fine-scale habitat use, and health.key objectives include:-deploying up to 55 acoustic receivers across 30 miles of riverine habitat (ST. Clair river, detroit river, belle isle) to map mudpuppy movements and home range.-developing surgical protocols for transmitter implantation to enable future studies.-restoring up to 1,000 linear feet of nearshore habitat with breeding structures to enhance connectivity.-expanding edna surveys to detect mudpuppies and salamander mussels in lake erie.-engaging the public via workshops, citizen science (MI herp atlas, SURVEY123 APP), and outreach to reduce mortality. This project directly aligns with federal and state priorities, supporting habitat restoration, invasive species control, and conservation of imperiled species. Outcomes will inform a mudpuppy conservation plan for the ST. Clair-detroit river system, advance binational stewardship, and provide replicable methods for recovering linked species. By integrating science, restoration, and outreach, we aim to secure resilient populations of mudpuppies and their dependent mussels, safeguarding michigans coastal biovariability.