13 mudpuppy — though Vassallo, curator of amphibians for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS), contends there’s nothing common at all about this four-legged, fully aquatic animal. In collaboration with Wayne State University and the Belle Isle Aquarium, Vassallo leads a team of researchers who capture, study and release mudpuppies living on Belle Isle each winter. The study tracks the behaviors and health of local mudpuppy populations — which can also indicate the ecological health of the river and surrounding island. “Mudpuppies are what we call an indicator species,” Vassallo explains. “Their skin is permeable, and they are very susceptible to contaminants in the water. Their health is representative of the overall health of the ecosystem. By tracking mudpuppies in this area, we can track how different factors impact the area.” The study also collects data on the mudpuppies themselves. Though mudpuppies are not considered an endangered species, very little is known about them — including how many there are, Vassallo says. These amphibians are very reclusive, so researchers have had difficulty learning more about their populations and patterns. This lack of data and information is a major factor in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources classifying this amphibian as a species of special concern back in 2016. The DZS contributes the data that is collected each season to the Michigan Herp Atlas Project, which informs researchers on how reptile and amphibian populations fare in the state of Michigan. “The DZS has been studying mudpuppies for about 10 years, and we still have so much to learn,” Vassallo says. “But that’s what makes this rewarding for me. Mudpuppies are so fascinating, so getting out here — even in the cold — and learning more about them is really important to me.” The study involves catching mudpuppies in modified minnow traps, examining them and implanting them with a tracker that allows researchers to collect more detailed data about overall health and migration patterns. The entire process is non-invasive, taking every precaution to cause as little disruption to the amphibians as possible. So far, the ongoing study has yielded plenty of interesting information, including the time of year mudpuppies tend to be caught (late fall to early winter) and promising data about migration and breeding patterns the DZS team hopes to publish one day. Until then, Vassallo and his team will spend their winters on Belle Isle, tossing traps and attempting to stay warm. “This survey directly supports the DZS’s commitment to conservation and protecting wildlife and wild places,” Vassallo says as a winter wind whips around him. “It’s important work, and it’s all worth it.” Want to see mudpuppies up close? Visit them today at the Belle Isle Nature Center!
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI5Mg==