Ontario Provincial Parks Malaise Program Results!

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Crystal Sobel

Back in 2014 we deployed Malaise Traps in 51 Ontario Provincial Parks with the help of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) in a large experiment to assess arthropod diversity. We completed our analysis last year after sorting ~250,000 specimens and putting another ~750,000 through bulk analysis. That was a job indeed!

You may be wondering how we get through such large quantities of samples. During the summer months from May to August we have a large team of summer staff comprising of undergraduate students. They do the tedious tasks of pinning, sorting, arraying, labeling and tissue sampling all those specimens. We couldn’t do it without them, they are an important part of completing our research goals!

Zach spent the summer of 2014 collecting all the malaise bottles. Thank you Zach!

DNA barcoding has greatly advanced species detection. Using an algorithm, we can assign similar sequences to the same Barcode Index Number (BIN), which is a proxy for species. Our results detected 23,834 BINs, with over half being flies (Diptera, followed by bees, ants and wasps (Hymenoptera), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and beetles (Coleoptera).

One interesting result I am always amazed by is the number of singleton BINs. This type of BIN is defined by the presence of a single specimen representing a single species. We detected 5,492 singletons! These discoveries may be overlooked if it wasn’t for the method we follow. All specimens from each sample were sequenced, no specimen was left behind in the sample jar.

If you would like to learn more about the results, have a read here. Individual reports for each Ontario Provincial Park are also available.

150/150: Home is where the heart is for the Barred Owl

Posted on December 21, 2017February 28, 2018 by Linley Sherin

Animalia: Chordata: Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae: Strix: Strix varia Barton, 1799

The Barred Owl is a member of the family Strigidae, the true owls, which it shares with almost all other extant owl species. It is also called the Hoot Owl due to its characteristic mating call. Like most owls, Barred Owls are silent when hunting and possess wing adaptions that enhance their ability to sneak up on prey. The Barred Owl mostly preys on small mammals and has occasionally been known to wade into water to fish for food within wetland habitats. The natural predator of the Barred Owl is the Great Horned Owl, however the majority of Barred Owl deaths are attributed to man-made causes. The Barred Owl is very territorial and has a home territory of ~700 acres on average, which it maintains throughout the year. It is a sedentary creature, rarely showing movement beyond 10 km when banded and returning to the same nest each year to lay its eggs. Barred Owl ranges have expanded westward in North America recently, which creates issues for conservation as it outcompetes the endangered Spotted Owl. The Barred Owl is also unique as it is our 150^th post! Throughout this year, we have created 150 posts about Canada’s wildlife to celebrate Canada’s 150^th anniversary and highlight Canadian biodiversity. Happy anniversary Canada! #Canada150 #Biodiversity150