Wildlife and Forestry Projects
Raccoon Rabies
In collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Ontario Fur Managers Federation (OFMF), the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), Sir Sanford Fleming College, Queens University and Cornell University, the NRDPFC undertook a project to understand the spread of raccoon rabies in North America. The research objective was to provide data that would be used to refine the control programs that are implemented by the MNRF. The research was divided into three main areas: raccoon landscape genetics, rabies virus molecular epidemiology, and raccoon landscape ecology.
Genetics of the Ontario Black Bear
The Ontario black bear (Ursus americanus) is a prime example of a species that has become adversely affected by human activities. Not only is it a large, long lived mammal with low reproductive rates but it is also a species that requires a large habitat range. Presently, their habitat is threatened by human development and habitat fragmentation. Furthermore, in most Canadian provinces the black bear constitutes a game species and may also be illegally poached for their gall bladders and other body parts that are used in traditional medicines or foreign cuisine. In response to such environmental pressures this species may have to seek new habitat, risk isolation, or local extirpation. These issues have raised concern for the status of the Ontario black bear.
Over the past five years, the NRDPFC has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to investigate the use of barbed wire bait stations in mark-recapture studies for the Ontario black bear. The MNRF barbed wire bait stations have been in place since 1997 in various locations across Ontario including Chapleau, Parry Sound, and Atikokan. Past and ongoing studies involve DNA analysis of hair samples collected along these stations.
Over the past five years, the NRDPFC has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to investigate the use of barbed wire bait stations in mark-recapture studies for the Ontario black bear. The MNRF barbed wire bait stations have been in place since 1997 in various locations across Ontario including Chapleau, Parry Sound, and Atikokan. Past and ongoing studies involve DNA analysis of hair samples collected along these stations.
Woodland caribou
Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) used to be prevalent throughout northern Ontario. Over the years, key problems have arisen that affected the specific habitats of the caribou. Over-development of the boreal forest and foothills have reduced the existing habitat, while increased predation by wolves and black bears along with poaching have all been factors in the decline of the caribou population.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in partnership with the NRDPFC have initiated a project to examine the genetic population structure of woodland caribou populations across Ontario. Woodland caribou have undergone a dramatic range reduction north since 1900 and are currently listed as “threatened” by COSEWIC. They are continuing to decline in the boreal forest region of Ontario. An examination of the meta-population structure of the northern Ontario population will allow for a more developed management program for the caribou. The determination of the meta-population structure of Woodland Caribou will enable MNRF to apportion its conservation effort appropriately, that is, those herds in imminent danger of extirpation can receive more effort than those that are secure.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in partnership with the NRDPFC have initiated a project to examine the genetic population structure of woodland caribou populations across Ontario. Woodland caribou have undergone a dramatic range reduction north since 1900 and are currently listed as “threatened” by COSEWIC. They are continuing to decline in the boreal forest region of Ontario. An examination of the meta-population structure of the northern Ontario population will allow for a more developed management program for the caribou. The determination of the meta-population structure of Woodland Caribou will enable MNRF to apportion its conservation effort appropriately, that is, those herds in imminent danger of extirpation can receive more effort than those that are secure.
Swift Fox
Species diversity is a current concern of wildlife management organizations across North America. One method being used to conserve diversity is an attempt to reestablish wildlife into areas where they were former occupants. The swift fox is one of the species that a program has been developed for. It was classified as extirpated from the Canadian prairies in 1978 (Committee on the Status of endangered wildlife in Canada, 1978), and was last officially sighted in 1938. The major extinction factors were most likely accidental poisoning (aimed at wolves and coyotes), trapping pressures, habitat changes, and predation.
Currently we are developing procedures to obtain hair samples from the wild swift fox populations, through a non-invasive hair method that will reduce the stress placed on the population in comparison to live trapping. The hair samples will be used for DNA extraction, and from this we will establish profiles for each individual. Our ultimate goal it to have the populations profiled in relation to their geographic location. This information will give us an idea of their dispersal rates (location of parents in relation to mature progeny), breeding success, and their overall genetic variability. The higher the genetic variability in the population the less likely the population will suffer from inbreeding depression and the higher the probability of survival for the population.
Currently we are developing procedures to obtain hair samples from the wild swift fox populations, through a non-invasive hair method that will reduce the stress placed on the population in comparison to live trapping. The hair samples will be used for DNA extraction, and from this we will establish profiles for each individual. Our ultimate goal it to have the populations profiled in relation to their geographic location. This information will give us an idea of their dispersal rates (location of parents in relation to mature progeny), breeding success, and their overall genetic variability. The higher the genetic variability in the population the less likely the population will suffer from inbreeding depression and the higher the probability of survival for the population.
Cricket Frog
Blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi) is a small (1.6-3.8 cm), warty, non-climbing member of the tree frog family. These aquatic frogs prefer open permanent water such as mud flats, stream banks, and marshes. Originally, they ranged from Texas through the central states (Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan), and into southwestern Ontario on Pelee Island and Point Pelee.
The Canadian population of Blanchard’s cricket frog is listed as endangered by both the federal and provincial government, and the species has not been seen on Pelee Island since 1987. Populations throughout much of its northern U.S. range are also in decline, and is also classified as endangered in Wisconsin. Natural flooding, predation, dredging of drainage ditches, fertilisers and pesticides, and fragmentation of wetlands are factors thought to have contributed to this frogs disappearance from Canada.
The Canadian Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Recovery Plan is supported by several agencies, with a breeding colony maintained by the Toronto Zoo. The goal is to restore the species to its original Canadian distribution. This component of the recovery plan will profile the genetic composition of historic and extant populations. This will be used to identify the best population from which to draw source animals for the reintroduction of Blanchard’s cricket frog into Canada.
The Canadian population of Blanchard’s cricket frog is listed as endangered by both the federal and provincial government, and the species has not been seen on Pelee Island since 1987. Populations throughout much of its northern U.S. range are also in decline, and is also classified as endangered in Wisconsin. Natural flooding, predation, dredging of drainage ditches, fertilisers and pesticides, and fragmentation of wetlands are factors thought to have contributed to this frogs disappearance from Canada.
The Canadian Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Recovery Plan is supported by several agencies, with a breeding colony maintained by the Toronto Zoo. The goal is to restore the species to its original Canadian distribution. This component of the recovery plan will profile the genetic composition of historic and extant populations. This will be used to identify the best population from which to draw source animals for the reintroduction of Blanchard’s cricket frog into Canada.
Moose
In Ontario, the moose (Alces alces) represents an economically and culturally important big game species. Traditionally, moose management has depended on aerial surveys of density, sex ratios and age composition to determine harvest limits to maintain a sustainable population size in a particular area while at the same time satisfying hunting prerogatives. With the advent of highly specific and affordable molecular genetic techniques, the opportunity exists to expand current wildlife population knowledge. When used in conjunction with ecological population data, molecular genetics can provide a powerful monitoring application for populations under harvest regulation such as the moose. Furthermore, molecular genetics can also offer wildlife managers the ability to re-evaluate current management / harvest criteria as well as assist in law enforcement.
Wolf
The Wolf and Coyote DNA Bank at Trent University is a formalized database of Canis samples from across North America. This database is intended to provide the general public, managers, policy makers, and researchers with access to the most current genetic information available on wolves and coyotes in North America. The website also serves as an online tracking system for clients submitting samples for genetic analysis. Researchers can also contact us regarding collaborative projects that would allow access to DNA and/or tissue from the various Canis types for standardising protocols across research laboratories.
Fisher
The current Ontario fisher population has expanded beyond its historical range and this expansion provides an opportunity to observe some interesting and timely correlations. For instance, a relationship between habitat quality and number of fisher immigrants may be seen; to the extent that, high numbers of immigrants into a specific area may be indicative of habitat quality. Juvenile and fishers unsuccessful in competing for prime habitat will have no other choice than to occupy poor quality habitat; therefore, an association between habitat quality and proportional number of immigrants may be observed. The short-term goals of the study are predominantly based on the development of the genetic analysis techniques, early identification of population structure, and the creation of geographical information system (GIS) models to interpret the landscape genetic results. The long term goals of the study are to create information management systems that enable clients and researchers access to explore the landscape genetics findings and enable them to use this information as a tool to enhance their ability to manage fisher populations.
Eastern White Pine
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) is one of the most valuable tree species in North America. Before the arrival of European settlers, the landscape of central and southern Ontario was dominated by stands of eastern white pine. However, after more than a century of intense logging, this pristine landscape exists only in photographs. The wood of eastern white pine is light, straight-grained, and easily worked. In the 18th century, this tree was highly valued for these properties. It was logged heavily to create the masts and booms of British Royal Navy ships, for building materials, and furniture. A past study estimated that the current eastern white pine coverage in the Great Lakes and boreal forest regions of Ontario are 50% and 35% respectively of what they were in the pre-settlement landscape. This over-harvesting has resulted in the reduction of seed sources, making it difficult for population regeneration to occur. The eastern white pine project is part of a larger multi-species study with the Ontario Living Legacy Trust. This larger study focuses on the development of landscape genetics as a novel management tool for Ontario’s parks and heritage sites.
Landscape Genetics
Landscape genetics is the use of Geographical Information Systems (G.I.S.) to place genetic diversity information into a spatial framework. Landscape genetics has two components: the genetic component which involves the use of molecular markers to examine population demographics and evolutionary processes; and geographical Information systems (G.I.S.) component which are database systems responsible for the organisation, modeling, analysis and presentation of geographically referenced genetic data. Thus, landscape genetics involves the mapping of genetic characteristics across a landscape in order to answer population questions. These genetic characteristics can be neutral markers such as mitochondrial haplotypes, microsatellite frequencies, Y chromosome haplotypes, as well as genetic markers under some sort of selection pressure eg. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) allele frequencies.
The NRDPFC is involved in a number of conservation projects which have a landscape genetic component. The aim of the NRDPFC is to contribute significantly to conservation of species populations by monitoring the status of populations, defining the genetic “health” of populations; and investigate the impact of changes in land use on genetic diversity of populations. As part of our mandate, NRPDFC is establishing baseline genetic data on existing populations of the species being studied.
The NRDPFC is involved in a number of conservation projects which have a landscape genetic component. The aim of the NRDPFC is to contribute significantly to conservation of species populations by monitoring the status of populations, defining the genetic “health” of populations; and investigate the impact of changes in land use on genetic diversity of populations. As part of our mandate, NRPDFC is establishing baseline genetic data on existing populations of the species being studied.
Contact Us
Trent University
Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre
2140 East Bank Drive
Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8
T: 705-748-1011 ext. 7080
E: info@nrdpfc.ca
Natural Resources DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre
2140 East Bank Drive
Peterborough, Ontario, K9L 1Z8
T: 705-748-1011 ext. 7080
E: info@nrdpfc.ca