LU|ZONE|UL Community:https://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/handle/10219/472024-03-28T21:17:12Z2024-03-28T21:17:12ZAssessments of genetic and reproductive health in Canada’s endangered Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa)Hunter, Briarhttps://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/handle/10219/41032024-03-28T07:09:42Z2023-08-04T00:00:00ZTitle: Assessments of genetic and reproductive health in Canada’s endangered Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa)
Authors: Hunter, Briar
Abstract: Zoological institutions are increasingly relied upon for ex situ management of species at risk,
with conservation breeding and reintroduction programs providing both assurance against
extinction and a reliable source of offspring to reinforce wild population sizes. Ex situ efforts
face many challenges, however. One often overlooked challenge is balancing genetic priorities,
like retaining genetic diversity and reducing inbreeding, with reproductive priorities, like mate
compatibility and reliable breeding, both of which are required for a successful program. Like
many amphibians, the Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa) is highly threatened in its native
habitat and ongoing conservation breeding and reintroduction programs are experiencing
limited success; the genetic sustainability of these populations remains unassessed. In this
study, I evaluated the genetic health of both zoo and wild populations of R. pretiosa in Canada
and investigated some potential causes of the ongoing ex situ reproductive failures associated
with egg binding. I found that zoos have maintained stable genetic metrics relative to their wild
sources, but ongoing collections from wild populations should be reassessed due to low genetic
diversity available therein. No clear causes of egg binding were elucidated but I found older
female frogs (> 3 years old) who became egg bound generally had a higher body mass than
conspecifics, while body mass did not differ in females becoming egg bound in their first
breeding season (2-3 years old). This suggests frogs should be monitored for egg binding and
changes in body condition differently depending on their age. Overall, there were no significant
differences in genetic or reproductive health across the three zoo conservation breeding
populations, but scaled mass index was significantly lower in the zoo with larger holding tanks
and less genetic management: a reminder of the importance of husbandry and environment in
conservation breeding program outcomes. The costs and benefits of strict genetic management
vs. a more communal breeding approach should be carefully considered in light of these results.
Along with more cohesion, communication is required between all involved institutions to have
an effective impact on the conservation of Oregon Spotted Frogs in Canada, the
recommendations discussed here have applicability to amphibian ex situ programs worldwide.2023-08-04T00:00:00ZDetermining the relative impacts of natural and anthropogenic contamination in the Tambo River Basin, PeruGirard, Lianne Moniquehttps://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/handle/10219/40952024-03-27T07:40:53Z2023-06-20T00:00:00ZTitle: Determining the relative impacts of natural and anthropogenic contamination in the Tambo River Basin, Peru
Authors: Girard, Lianne Monique
Abstract: Peruvian Andean Watersheds are under pressure. Mining, agriculture, urbanization,
and natural stressors such as climate chance and geothermal and volcanic activity are
causing water quality to deteriorate. Although rapidly declining, little attention has been
given to understanding the current state of these watersheds and literature is often limited
to grey literature such as academic theses and governmental reports which are difficult to
access. Without baseline information on water quality, it can be challenging to properly
identify sources of contamination and effectively manage these aquatic ecosystems.
In this context, the water quality of the Tambo River Basin was assessed. Located in
Southern Peru, the Tambo River Basin is subject to pressures from a variety of stressors
such as a metal mine at its headwaters, geothermal and volcanic activity, agriculture, and
urbanization. Water chemistry samples, physicochemical water quality measurements and
benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 15 sites across the basin, representing the
different sources of contamination from source to mouth.
Signs of contamination were evident at sites impacted by the mines, where acidic pH
was recorded along with high metal concentrations exceeding Peruvian Water Quality
standards for both drinking water and the aquatic environment. Sites along geothermal
sources of contamination showed high concentrations of arsenic exceeding Peruvian Water
Quality standards for both drinking water and the aquatic environment. At the most
downstream and urbanized sites, high concentrations of lead were recorded.
To our knowledge this is the first study of benthic macroinvertebrates in the region,
thus it provides baseline information on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the Tambo River Basin. Changes in abundance, taxa richness and EPT% were compared at sites
with different sources of contamination. More pollution-tolerant taxa dominated the
contaminated sites and pollution-sensitive taxa were present at sites that had better water
quality. Overall, this study provided baseline information on the water quality of the
Tambo River Basin and helped to identify sources of contamination entering the basin
contributing to pressures on the water quality and the aquatic environment. The use of
benthic macroinvertebrates helped supplement physicochemical and chemistry water
quality data which provides information on the conservation and management of the
aquatic environment. However, given the complexity of the altitudinal gradient of this
basin, this type of study should be repeated during both the dry and rainy seasons to
further build upon this database. Efforts should also be directed towards preserving the
ecological integrity of high altitudinal wetlands (bofedales) as they possess contaminant
filtering capacity.2023-06-20T00:00:00ZThe role of animal personality in the pace-of-life of coexisting rodentsHughes, Bryanhttps://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/handle/10219/40912024-03-28T07:09:36Z2023-08-22T00:00:00ZTitle: The role of animal personality in the pace-of-life of coexisting rodents
Authors: Hughes, Bryan
Abstract: The pace-of-life syndrome hypothesis (POLS) predicts that life-history, behaviour, and
physiology correlate along a fast to slow continuum. Relationships between POLS
domains evolve in response to natural selection and energetic trade-offs at different
phylogenetic levels. Access to resources is dependent on movement within a home-range,
and differences in movement strategies should arise to accommodate competition among
sympatric species and between conspecifics. I examined behaviours relating to home-
range movement among sympatric rodents and between sexes. I tested two hypotheses:
(1) sympatric rodents will express differences in movement behaviours to accommodate
resource competition; and (2) differences in behaviour and physiology will arise between
sexes because of differences in reproductive costs. I found differences in behaviour
among species, and a uniform expression of traits relating to movement within a home-
range between sexes. My results help to understand differences in animal personality,
movement patterns and sex-specific strategies in rodents.2023-08-22T00:00:00ZWeaving Indigenous knowledge and western science to investigate the impacts of railways on wildlifeVincent, Kyle D.https://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/handle/10219/40832024-03-28T07:09:33Z2022-09-29T00:00:00ZTitle: Weaving Indigenous knowledge and western science to investigate the impacts of railways on wildlife
Authors: Vincent, Kyle D.
Abstract: Railways have been documented to cause mortalities for many different species, but overall, the
ecological impacts of railways are under-researched and poorly understood. To date, railway
ecology research has mainly focused on large mammals, but to develop effective railway
mitigation, it is important to understand risks for underrepresented taxa. My aim was to use a
Two-Eyed Seeing approach that weaved Indigenous knowledge and western science to improve
understanding of railway ecology for understudied species and to help guide future mitigation
efforts. In partnership with two First Nations, community members were invited to share
Indigenous knowledge (IK) of wildlife-railway interactions to inform study design, then I
conducted weekly visual surveys over three field seasons along two 3.6 km sections of railway in
Eastern Georgian Bay, Ontario, recording the locations of live and dead wildlife. I recorded 462
observations of individuals from 42 different species, of which 76% were found dead, and 24%
were encountered alive, findings complemented by shared IK. Reptiles and amphibians were the
most severely impacted taxa, accounting for 87% of observed mortalities. Additionally, I
identified hotspots of turtle and anuran interactions, and found that the locations of interactions
were related to adjacent habitat use and railway features. Ultimately, this study highlights the
value of collaborative research that uses complementary knowledge systems, indicates that
reptiles and amphibians may be particularly susceptible to railway mortality, and identifies areas
to target future mitigation both locally and in relation to broad scale landscape features for turtles
and anurans.2022-09-29T00:00:00Z