Clarks River Herp Survey-Final Report

i Survey of the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge in Marshall, McCracken, and Graves Counties, Kentucky Prepared by: John B.. Fish and Wildlife Ser

i

Survey of the Amphibians and Reptiles

of the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge

in Marshall, McCracken, and Graves Counties, Kentucky

Prepared by:

John B Hewlett, Emma Fehlker Campbell, and Howard H Whiteman

Department of Biological Sciences and Watershed Studies Institute

Murray State University Final Report for:

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System

Inventory and Monitoring Branch January 2019-December 2020

Top Left: Crawfish frog (Lithobates areolatus ) habitat, Bottom Left: Clarks River, Benton Kentucky Right top to bottom: Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous), Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), and Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) Images by J.B Hewlett

Jackson Purchase region, where CRNWR resides, is one of the most biologically diverse regions

in the state of Kentucky, including 87 species of amphibians and reptiles Nineteen of these species are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern at the state level and could

be present on CRNWR, with an additional 16 species considered Species of Greatest

Conservation Need (SGCN) by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

To better understand the herpetofaunal diversity of CRNWR, and to identify the specific

locations of amphibians and reptiles species that are of conservation concern, we: 1) created a list

of herpetofauna likely to be found on the CRNWR; 2) conducted surveys to determine

herpetological diversity of CRNWR; 3) determined herpetofauna diversity in unique or

significant habitats such as the xerohydric flatwoods; and 4) established a credible species list and created recommendations for future monitoring and conservation of the herpetofaunal

community We used methods including live trapping, dip netting, transects, road cruising and the placement of artificial cover Nineteen sites were chosen based on accessibility, habitat type, and the potential presence of unique species, and sampling was conducted during February 2019

to October 2019 and February 2020 to May 2020

We captured or observed 43 species in 14 families, which is 49% of the reptile and amphibian species historically found in the Jackson Purchase We captured the most individuals at Bryant Ford 4, and the most species at Bryant Ford 3, both of which include xerohydric flatwoods, suggesting the importance of this unique habitat type Two species, the Eastern Narrow-

mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis), and River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna), were

observed for the first time at CRNWR during this project Additionally, we detected the

presence of a species that was not on the original species list, the Plain-Bellied Water Snake

(Nerodia erythrogaster) Ten SGCN and three species that Species of Special Concern were

detected, and we provide detailed information for each of these species The detection and

known locations of these species will be beneficial for future conservation and management efforts on CRNWR

This project has provided valuable insight into the current herpetofaunal diversity of CRNWR, as well as a better understanding of the most valuable habitat types within CRNWR that support herpetofaunal diversity, particularly those of greatest conservation need In the future we

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Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii

INTRODUCTION 1

OBJECTIVES 2

METHODS 2

COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HERPETOFAUNA 7

SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED AND SPECIAL CONCERN 13

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 16

LITERATURE CITED 18

APPENDIX I……… 20

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INTRODUCTION

The Clarks River is the largest tributary of the Tennessee River located in Kentucky It travels north from Henry County Tennessee to McCracken County Kentucky The east fork of the Clarks River is unchannelized and is the only tributary of the Tennessee River that does not contain locks and dams The area contains some of the largest expanses of bottomland hardwood

in Kentucky Additionally, the Clarks River watershed holds the largest tracts of xerohydric flatwoods remaining in the area and is potentially one of the most important localities of

xerohydric flatwoods in Kentucky (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012)

Because of the wealth of unique habitat, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

established the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR) in 1997 The refuge

encompasses 8634 acres in Marshall, Graves, and McCracken Counties in western Kentucky Additionally, USFWS has proposed an expansion to the existing refuge targeting the west fork of the Clarks River This expansion would add an additional 40 miles of river, connecting to Kahler Bottoms Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and protecting approximately 18% of Kentucky’s remaining wetlands In 2012, A comprehensive conservation and land protection plan was

created for the CRNWR (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012)

The Jackson Purchase region of Western Kentucky is one of the most biologically diverse

regions for aquatic and terrestrial organisms in the state of Kentucky, which includes 87 species

of amphibians and reptiles While the majority of the amphibians and reptile species found in western Kentucky are common, there are 19 species considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern at the state level that are expected to be found on CRNWR (U.S Fish and

Wildlife Service, 2012) These species include 3-toed Amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum),

Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), Three-lined Salamander (Eurycea

guttolineata), Northern Crawfish Frog (Lithobates areolatus), Six-lined Racerunner

(Aspidoscelis sexlineata ), Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus), Southeastern Five-lined Skink

(Plestiodon inexpectatus), Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea), Kirtland’s Snake (Clonophis

kirtlandii), Mud Snake (Farancia abacura), Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides),

Mississippi Green Watersnake (Nerodia cyclopion), Broad-Banded Watersnake (Nerodia

fasciata confluens), Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus), Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus

miliarius), Southeastern Crowned Snake (Tantilla coronata), Western Ribbon Snake

(Thamnophis proximus), Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus), and Alligator Snapping

Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) (Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC),

2019; U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012)

An additional 16 species are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources These are the Mole Salamander

(Ambystoma talpoideum), Spotted Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus conanti), Four-toed

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Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum), Lesser Siren (Siren intermedia), Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca), Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea), Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates

sphenocephalu s), Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvatica), Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii),

Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), Copper-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster

neglecta), Diamondback Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer), Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica), Mississippi Map Turtle (Graptemys kokohnii), False Map Turtle (Graptemys

pseudogeographica), and Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) (Kentucky Department of Fish

& Wildlife, 2013; U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012) Two species that may possibly be found on the refuge have been recently petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species

Act: the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), and Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2020) In should be noted, that with regards to C alleganiensis the CRNWR is within its historic range but there have been no

documented occurrences there

OBJECTIVES

To better understand the herpetofaunal diversity of CRNWR, and potentially identify the specific locations of amphibians and reptiles species that are of conservation concern, we had the

following objectives:

1 Compile a list of herpetofauna likely to be found on the CRNWR

2 Conduct herpetological surveys to determine species diversity of CRNWR

3 Assess herpetofauna diversity in unique or significant habitats such as the xerohydric

flatwoods

4 Establish a credible species list, expand upon the current data set of known species, and

provide recommendations for future monitoring and conservation of the herpetofaunal

community within the CRNWR

METHODS

To assess the diversity of amphibians and reptiles within the CRNWR we used methods

including live trapping, dip netting, transect surveys, road cruising and the placement of artificial cover A focus was placed on herpetofauna of the xerohydric flatwoods (Figure 1A) and sites were chosen based on accessibility, habitat type, and the potential presence of unique species Field sampling was conducted during February 2019 to October 2019, and February 2020 to May 2020 Each site (Figure 2) was sampled extensively Minnow and turtle traps were placed

3

within wetlands and coverboards were placed in all habitat types following a thorough aerial survey in the spring of 2019 (Figure 1C) Dip netting was used in both ponds and wadable streams For anurans, calls were used to identify certain species Road cruising and frog call identification were used on nights when conditions permitted

Specimens were recorded along with GPS Coordinates, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure data and compiled into a spreadsheet Photo vouchers were taken if possible No live specimens were euthanized and preserved during this survey

Figure 1 A Example of xerohydric flatwoods (Photo: Kimberly Sykes), B. Example

of Cypress Swamp (Photo: Emma Fehlker Campbell), C Aerial image of wetland,

McCracken Co Kentucky, D Clarks River, Benton Kentucky, E Gravel bottom

stream, CRNWR (Photos: John B Hewlett)

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Our surveys focused on xerohydric flatwoods (Figure 1A, 2) This habitat type is characterized

by an alternating hydrological pattern of very wet in the winter and spring, to very dry in the summer and fall This creates a unique plant community consisting of plants typically found in dry upland communities and those found in wetlands Xerohydric flatwood communities are currently classified as endangered by the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission

(Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC), 2019)

Other important community types monitored within the refuge include bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, upland forests, and rivers (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012) Bottomland hardwood forests are classified as a state community of concern (Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (KSNPC), 2019) They are characterized by seasonally flooded but well drained soils Bottomland hardwood forests make up the largest area of any community

on the refuge Bald cypress swamps (Figure 1B) occur in permanently flooded areas where soils

are deep and poorly drained Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is the most common plant

species found in this community (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012) Several sites monitored were located in upland forest communities These sites include the Milliken Mill, Happy Hollow, and Bunkhouse (Table 2) Other community types located on the refuge include wet flatwoods, bottomland hardwood swamps, open swamps, shrub swamps, ponds, streams, and open lands (Figure 1)

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Figure 2 Sites sampled for reptiles and amphibians within Clarks River National Wildlife

Refuge between February 2019 to October 2019, and February 2020 to May 2020 Site numbers

correspond to Table 1

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Table 1 Location and habitat information about the 19 sites surveyed Site numbers correspond

to the site number found in Figure 1 Habitat type: BH= Bottomland Hardwood Forest, BCS=

Bald Cypress Slough, F= Field, P= Pond, R= River, UH= Upland Hardwood, WL= Wetland, XF= Xerohydric Flatwoods

1 West Fork 2 McCracken 36.964216 -88.52067 BH, WL, P

2 West Fork 3 McCracken 36.963607 -88.524092 BH, WL, P

3 West Fork 1 McCracken 36.958488 -88.525027 BH, WL, P

4 Bryant Ford 4 McCracken 36.952251 -88.490979 XF, WL

5 Bryant Ford 3 McCracken 36.943681 -88.488772 XF, WL

7 Bryant Ford 1 Marshall 36.936321 -88.483239 WL

8 Sharpe Elva Marshall 36.935605 -88.466129 XF

9 Dunn’s Slough 3 Marshall 36.92729 -88.456724 XF, F

10 Dunn’s Slough 2 Marshall 36.930245 -88.455261 BCS

11 Dunn’s Slough 1 Marshall 36.931591 -88.448974 BH, WL, P

12 Milliken Lane Marshall 36.914384 -88.412964 BH, WL

13 Tucker Lane Marshall 36.894838 -88.378679 BH, R

14 Happy Hollow 2 Marshall 36.89115 -88.354024 UH, P

15 Happy Hollow 1 Marshall 36.894471 -88.350559 UH

16 Bunkhouse Marshall 36.883411 -88.335874 UH, WL, F

17 Eggner’s Ferry 2 Marshall 36.860344 -88.316363 BH, R

18 Eggner’s Ferry 1 Marshall 36.856773 -88.317007 BH, R

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COMPOSITION AND DISTRIBUTION OF HERPETOFAUNA

In total, we captured or observed 43 species in 14 families (Table 2) We found 11 species of frogs in four families and nine species of salamanders in four families We also found two

species of lizards in a single family, 14 species of snakes in two families and seven species of turtles in four families These results contain approximately 49% of the 87 species of reptiles and amphibians historically found in the Jackson Purchase area of western Kentucky

Table 2 Comprehensive list of species whose range historically would encompass the Clarks

River National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR) and the number of individuals detected through survey efforts The species list is from the CRNWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan (U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, 2012) Species denoted with * is a new species that was not on the CRNWR species list Species denoted with † are threatened, endangered or of special concern by the state of Kentucky Species denoted with ‡ are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

Salamanders

Ambystoma maculatum Spotted Salamander 62+

Ambystoma opacum Marbled Salamander 38

Ambystoma talpoideum‡ Mole Salamander 7

Ambystoma texanum Smallmouth Salamander 91+

Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum Eastern Tiger Salamander 1

Amphiuma tridactylum†‡ 3-toed Amphiuma 0

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis†‡ Eastern Hellbender 0

Desmognathus conanti‡ Spotted Dusky Salamander 0

Eurycea cirrigera Southern Two-lined Salamander 0

Eurycea guttolineata†‡ Three-lined Salamander 0

Eurycea longicauda Longtail Salamander 1

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Eurycea lucifuga Cave Salamander 0

Hemidactylium scutatum‡ Four-toed Salamander 0

Notophthalmus viridescens Central Newt 1

Plethodon dorsalis Northern Zigzag Salamander 0

Plethodon glutinosus Northern Slimy Salamander 2

Plethodon mississippi Mississippi Slimy Salamander 0

Frogs

Anaxyrus americanus American Toad 5

Gastrophryne carolinensis Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad 1

Hyla avivoca‡ Bird-voiced Treefrog 0

Pseudacris crucifer Spring Peeper 0

Pseudacris feriarum Upland Chorus Frog 7

Lithobates areolatus†‡ Crawfish Frog 5

Lithobates clamitans Green Frog 3

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Lithobates sphenocephalus‡ Southern Leopard Frog 24

Lithobates sylvatica‡ Wood Frog 0

Scaphiopus holbrookii‡ Eastern Spadefoot 0

Lizards

Aspidoscelis sexlineata†‡ Six-Lined Racerunner 0

Plestiodon anthracinus†‡ Coal Skink 0

Plestiodon fasciatus Five-Lined Skink 1

Plestiodon inexpectatus†‡ Southeastern Five-Lined Skink 0

Plestiodon laticeps Broadhead Skink 0

Sceloporus undulatus Fence Lizard 0

Sceloporus lateralis Ground Skink 0

Snakes

Agkistrodon contortrix Copperhead 1

Agkistrodon piscivorus Cottonmouth 43

Cemophora coccinea†‡ Scarlet Snake 0

Clonophis kirtlandii†‡ Kirtland’s Snake 0

Coluber constrictor Black Racer 1

Crotalus horridus Timber Rattlesnake 0

Diadophis punctatus Ringneck Snake 5

Pantherophis o obseleta Black Rat Snake 2

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Lampropeltis calligaster Prairie Kingsnake 1

Lampropeltis elapsoides†‡ Scarlet Kingsnake 0

Lampropeltis getula nigra Black Kingsnake 2

Lampropeltis triangulum Red Milk Snake 0

Nerodia cyclopion†‡ Mississippi Green Water Snake 0

Nerodia erythrogaster *‡ Plain-bellied Water Snake 3

Nerodia fasciata confluens†‡ Broad-banded Water Snake 0

Nerodia rhombifer‡ Diamondback Water Snake 1

Nerodia sipedon pleuralis Midland Water Snake 7

Opheodrys aestivus Rough Green Snake 1

Pituophis melanoleucus†‡ Pine Snake 0

Sistrurus miliarius†‡ Pigmy Rattlesnake 0

Storeria o occipitomaculata Northern Redbelly Snake 0

Tantilla coronata†‡ Southeastern Crowned Snake 0

Thamnophis proximus†‡ Western Ribbon Snake 0

Thamnophis sauritus†‡ Eastern Ribbon Snake 0

Thamnophis sirtalis Eastern Garter Snake 1

Virginia valeriae elegans Western Earth Snake 0

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Turtles

Apalone mutica‡ Smooth Softshell Turtle 0

Apalone spinifera Spiny Softshell Turtle 1

Chelydra serpentina serpentina Common Snapping Turtle 4

Graptemys geographica Common Map Turtle 0

Graptemys kohnii‡ Mississippi Map Turtle 0

Graptemys ouachitensis Ouachita Map Turtle 0

Graptemys pseudogeographica‡ False Map Turtle 0

Kinosternon subrubrum‡ Mud Turtle 2

Macrochelys temminckii†‡ Alligator Snapping Turtle 0

Pseudemys concinna River Cooter 1

Sternotherus odoratus Musk Turtle 0

Terrapene carolina carolina Eastern Box Turtle 10

Trachemys scripta elegans Red-eared Slider 24

Overall, we detected the most individuals at the Bryant Ford 4 site, where we found 172+ individuals of multiple species (Table 3) The majority of these species were Spotted

Salamanders (58+) and Smallmouth Salamanders (55), with over 50 of each species being detected at a single time during migration This site had the largest number of individuals detected by far The site with the greatest species diversity was Bryant Ford 3, where 19 species were detected during survey efforts (Table 3) Bryant Ford 4 was a close second in species diversity, with 17 species detected Both Bryan Ford sites include xerohydric flatwoods,

suggesting the importance of this unique habitat for herpetofaunal diversity We detected no individuals at two sites, Happy Hollow 1 and West Fork 1