Albinism in turtles is rare but has been reported in more than a dozen species. We observed two albino Blanding’s Turtle(Emydoidea blandingii) hatchlings from one nest collected and incubated as part of a turtle conservation program in eastern Ontario. The albino hatchlings were the same size (3.4 cm straight-line carapace length) as the other two hatchlings from the nest and only slightly smaller than the average length of Blanding’s Turtles (3.6 cm) produced from our nests in 2025. Only one of 132 (0.76%) successfully incubated Blanding’s Turtle nests over the past eight years has produced albinos. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of albinism in Blanding’s Turtles.
Federally Endangered Hickorynut (Obovaria olivaria) was historically known to occupy a short section of the Mississagi River. Whether this distribution represented the true range of the species or simply reflected a paucity of directed mussel sampling was unclear. The Mississagi River was systematically surveyed in 2023 to evaluate the freshwater mussel assemblage in the watershed, focussing on Hickorynut. The river was divided into 21 contiguous reaches, the first of which was 1 km long, followed by 20, 2 km reaches from the Red Rock Falls Generating Station downstream to the mouth at Lake Huron. Each reach was surveyed at least once using SCUBA; additional surveys were conducted in some reaches if warranted (e.g., historical presence of Hickorynut). In total, 35 sites were surveyed (26 SCUBA, nine snorkel) and 7590 mussels of seven species, including 141 Hickorynut were found. A single Lake Floater (Pyganodon lacustris) was found and genetically verified, representing the third confirmed detection of the species in Canada. Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata) was the most common species found, occurring at all sites. Our results clarify the distribution of mussels throughout this stretch of the Mississagi River and extend the known distribution of Hickorynut ~22 km upstream of its previously known range. These findings will aid in the conservation and management of freshwater mussels in Canada and inform future assessments of atrisk mussel species.
The terrestrial flatworm Microplana terrestris (O.F. Müller, 1773) (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) is a western Europeannative that has been introduced to North America and elsewhere. Introduction of terrestrial flatworms outside their nativeranges has been reported to have occurred via the horticultural trade, mainly in contaminated nursery plants and soil. Asecond occurrence from Atlantic Canada is documented from a remote wilderness area. Circumstantial evidence suggeststhat vermiculture (i.e., the cultivation of earthworms for use as bait in recreational fishing or composting or the use of worm castings as garden fertilizer) may be a previously unrecognized pathway for terrestrial flatworm introduction.
We report the first record of a Purple-striped Jellyfish (Chrysaora colorata) from Canadian waters. A single specimen, ~65 cm in bell diameter, was collected in a trawl catch on 4 October 2024 in near-surface waters, off Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, about 400 km from the previous most northern, research-grade record in the United States. Identification of our specimen was confirmed based on bell texture and size, colouration, number and shape of lappets, and the presence of a quadralinga. In the future, changing oceanographic conditions associated with climate change may lead to C. colorata becoming more common at more northerly latitudes.
The overlapping ranges of North American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) and the observation of the latter pilfering fungi from the former’s middens throughout the year in interior Alaskasuggest that kleptoparasitism (resource stealing) could be occurring. Between May and August 2022, we deployed 15 camera traps focussed on active red squirrel middens and nearby reference sites in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, to document possible nocturnal food pilfering by flying squirrels. Flying squirrels were not detected at red squirrel middens at higher rates than at reference sites. Further, the single observation of foraging-like behaviour in the 12 flying squirrel detections at red squirrel middens suggests that pilfering is unlikely. Epigeal fungi were in apparent abundance during the study period, but not conspicuously stored at middens. The opposing diurnal activity patterns of the squirrels also reduced the likelihood of aggressive territorial behaviour or vigilant midden guarding by red squirrels. Future investigations should focus on the potential for food-pilfering events in relation to local food abundance and on habitat features more likely to contain fungal caches.
With over 60% of Canada’s amphibian species at-risk, field surveys and studies can contribute important knowledge to better inform assessments and conservation efforts. The diversity of amphibians inhabiting lakes, specifically semi-remote boreal lakes, has been relatively understudied compared to wetlands and temporary waterbodies. The goal of our study was to survey the anuran species associated with freshwater boreal lakes in a historically undocumented area in northwestern Ontario, Canada. In May–August 2022, we conducted egg surveys, larval surveys, and automated call recording surveys at two boreal lakes at the International Institute of Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area. We detected seven anurans: American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus), Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor), Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans), Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis), Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens), Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), and Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus). We also incidentally detected adult Central Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis). American Toad was the most extensively detected species among our survey methods, with all life stages detected. In contrast, Northern Leopard Frog was infrequently detected in calling surveys at one lake. Although anuran populations can vary annually and within relatively small spatial scales, our results suggest that freshwater boreal lakes harbour a diversity of anurans and should not be overlooked as valuable amphibian habitat. As anthropogenic impacts continue to threaten boreal ecosystems, our surveys provide baseline knowledge of anurans in these semi-remote boreal lakes of Canada, critical for further studies and amphibian conservation efforts.
Salt marshes are dynamic ecosystems recognized for their environmental contributions in mitigating climate change. Asknown carbon sinks, they are highly productive ecosystems supporting numerous biotic assemblages, including fungal communities. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are endomycorrhizal symbionts that form associations with approximately 80% of plant roots, aiding plants in nutrient and water acquisition. Some AMF species can survive halophytic conditions and are known from roots of keystone cordgrass species in the genus Sporobolus (formerly Spartina). We analyzed AMF establishment in three cordgrass species, each species from low, middle, or high marsh elevations, at 10 salt marshes in the upper Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal establishment significantly varied by salt marsh grass species and was highly variable among sites. Sediment phosphorus and sodium had no significant impact on AMF establishment, whereas sediment nitrogen did influence their establishment in addition to other variables (i.e., tidal inundation). The highest % AMF establishment occurred in cordgrasses from middle and high marsh elevations at older restored and reference (natural) sites. We found the highest AMF establishment (94%) at restored salt marshes in Prairie Cordgrass (Sporobolus michauxianus) roots. Given their underappreciated yet potentially critical roles in coastal ecosystems, the contributions of AMF warrant further investigation to understand their ecological significance in supporting coastal salt marsh resilience.
Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum) has the broadest geographic distribution of any North American plethodontid. However, in New Brunswick, Canada, its known distribution has previously been limited to a single site in Fundy National Park, where the species was first confirmed in 1983, its presence verified until at least 2012, and where it is still presumed to occur. Recently, during a series of general amphibian surveys and opportunistic observations, novel occurrences of this species were discovered. Specifically, we observed eight individuals at two sites in the town of Riverview, 59 km northeast of the Fundy National Park site. Our discovery expands knowledge of the species in New Brunswick and the northern limit of its distribution. The Riverview sites are relatively disturbed (e.g., high human foot traffic, all-terrain vehicle use, some incidental tree harvest, invasive plant species, infrastructure development, and litter). The Riverview High School forest site is isolated from other forested areas by paved roads. There are major differences between these sites and where the species has previously been observed in New Brunswick: the Fundy National Park site is relatively undisturbed and surrounded by extensive forest. This suggests that populations of this species in New Brunswick can persist in marginal, patchy, anthropogenically-disturbed habitat, which has implications for conservation and management.
Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) is believed to overwinter typically in heated buildings at the northern limit of its range, often singly and generally fewer than 12 per building, as well as in underground environments. As the species is a relatively recent arrival in Maritime Canada, little information is available on its natural history in the region. Here we report a case from New Brunswick, where it appears that at least 122 Big Brown Bats overwintered together in the attic of a brick building constructed in 1947. Exit from this winter hibernaculum occurred abruptly, with a peak in mid-March and a secondary, but lower, peak in mid-April.
Scent-marking, in which animals leave olfactory signals for transmission to other individuals, is a common form of animal communication. Documentation of such behaviour enables interpretation of wildlife sign and facilitates the study of animal ecology, biology, behaviour, and habitat use. We describe previously undocumented examples of scent-marking in three mesocarnivores: North American Badger (Taxidea taxus), Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis), and Raccoon (Procyon lotor). We deployed video camera traps at unoccupied badger burrows in the Colorado Desert, USA, along wildlife trails and at a latrine in Yukon, Canada, and in the mixed pine and oak forest of Massachusetts, USA. Badgers scent-marked unoccupied burrows six times by placing hindquarters in the burrow entrance, raising the tail, pausing for several seconds, and departing, which is previously undocumented behaviour. We documented seven instances of lynx pedal scraping along wildlife trails and at the latrine, in which lynx alternately dragged each hind foot along the ground. We found a single description of lynx pedal scraping in the literature, but it occurred during an agonistic interaction between two competing males. Raccoons pedal scraped nine times at three sites. They alternately rubbed each hind foot against the substrate, a behaviour that we did not find described elsewhere. Understanding these behaviours, including where, when, and why they occur, will provide insight into the ecology and biology of these species, with possible implications for research, conservation, and management.
Some species collect and consume the faeces of other species. However, evidence of such heterospecific coprophagy is rarely documented for wild mammals and has not been reported for Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris). We observed 14 Collared Pika haypiles (food caches) in northwestern Canada that contained faecal pellets of Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata). Our observations were from two study areas ~700 km apart, suggesting that this behaviour may be widespread. We did not observe Collared Pikas consuming Hoary Marmot pellets, and they may collect them for other, unknown reasons, including as curios. Regardless, our observations are of value because they represent evidence of possible heterospecific coprophagy in Collared Pikas, which can potentially contribute to our understanding of their nutritional strategy.
Invasive wetland plants can alter hydrology and vegetation structure, with potential consequences for wildlife. During vegetation surveys at Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada, I observed two cases of turtle desiccation in dense stands of invasive European common Reed (Phragmites australis subsp. australis) and invasive hybrid Blue Cattail (Typha ×glauca). In 2022, a juvenile Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) was found desiccated on a thick, dry mat of hybrid Blue Cattail. In 2024, a juvenile Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) was found desiccated in a dense European common Reed patch similarly lacking surface water. These observations suggest that dense, hydrologically isolated patches of invasive wetland vegetation may pose a risk to turtles’ survival during hot, dry periods, possibly by limiting access to open water or cooler microhabitats.
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is an abundant passerine of dense vegetation, most commonly associated with wetlands across its pan-North American distribution. It has been reported using dry habitats in more southern areas; however, habitat use in the boreal portion of its range is poorly understood. Historical observations of this species occupying coniferous scrub in Newfoundland suggest plasticity in breeding habitat near its northern range limit. To verify the probable breeding of Common Yellowthroat in dry, high-elevation (450–532 m above sea level), diminutive (0.5–1.0 m tall) coniferous scrub, we analyzed audio recordings from seven autonomous recording units deployed on plateaus in the Anguille Mountains portion of the Long Range Mountains of southwestern Newfoundland from late May to late July 2024. We detected males singing on territory almost daily from late May through mid-July at all seven sites, suggesting probable breeding. Therefore, we conclude that dry conifer scrub serves as breeding habitat for Common Yellowthroat in Newfoundland, adding to the list of described habitats occupied by this species. Our findings, which are descriptive in nature, reinforce the need for more comprehensive assessments of habitat use and breeding success across the boreal portion of the species’ range.
