The Canadian Field-Naturalist (E-Journal)
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Size records and demographics of an Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) urban population near the northern limit of the species’ range in eastern Canada
Full text linkUnderstanding variation in demographics and life history across species ranges and differing landcover types is valuable for conservation planning. We examined the population demographics of a small urban population of Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta) in New Brunswick, Canada, near the northern limit of the species’ range. We captured turtles using hoop traps and by hand during four sampling periods. We estimated that our population included 17 females, nine males, and 29 juveniles in late summer 2015 using Jolly-Seber population size estimates. We captured several very large females at our study site; 5/17 females (29%) were larger than previous size records for the subspecies. Growth rates for juveniles were greater than most populations of Eastern Painted Turtles reported elsewhere. Growth rates at our site were significantly greater for smaller (younger) turtles and for females compared to males. Overwinter survivorship estimates were 100% from late summer 2014 to spring 2015. Active season (2015) survivorship was 100% for females, 89% for males, and 93% for juveniles. We speculate that the large body sizes found at our study site were achieved through high survivorship and larger growth rates compared to other areas reported previously. Our data supports previous findings that body size of Painted Turtles increases with latitude, and additionally, growth may have been enhanced by increased nutrient levels common in human-modified landscapes.La compréhension des variations démographiques et biologiques entre les types d'habitats et géographiquement est précieuse pour la planification de la conservation. Nous avons examiné les données démographiques d'une petite population urbaine de Tortues Peintes de l'Est au Nouveau-Brunswick (Canada) près des limites nord de l'aire de répartition de l'espèce. Nous avons capturé des tortues à l'aide des cerceau piège et à la main, et marqué et mesuré chaque tortue. Les estimations de la taille de la population de Jolly-Seber ont indiqué que notre population comprenait 17 femelles, neuf mâles et 29 juvéniles à la fin de l'été 2015. Nous avons capturé plusieurs très grosses femelles sur notre site d'étude; cinq des 17 femelles (29%) étaient plus grosses que la plus grande Tortue Peinte de l'Est précédemment enregistrée. Les taux de croissance des juvéniles étaient supérieurs à ceux de la plupart des populations de Tortues Peintes de l'Est signalées ailleurs. Les taux de croissance sur notre site étaient significativement plus élevés pour les tortues plus petites (plus jeunes) et aussi pour les femelles par rapport aux mâles. Les estimations globales de survie étaient de 100% de la fin de l'été 2014 au printemps 2015 (hiver). Du printemps 2015 à la fin de l'été 2015, la survie était de 100% pour les femelles, 89% pour les mâles et 93% pour les juvéniles. Nous supposons que les grandes tailles corporelles trouvées sur notre site d'étude ont été obtenues grâce à de bons taux de survie et à des taux de croissance plus élevés par rapport à d'autres zones signalées précédemment. Nos données corroborent les conclusions précédentes selon lesquelles la taille des tortues peintes augmente avec l'augmentation de la latitude et, en outre, la croissance peut avoir été améliorée par l'augmentation des niveaux de nutriments courants dans les paysages modifiés par l'homme
First records of Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice) in New Brunswick, Canada: range expansion possibly mediated by climate warming
Full text linkThe first occurrences of Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice (Drury, 1773); Odonata: Libellulidae) are reported for New Brunswick, Canada, from seven sites along the Bay of Fundy coast in the southern part of the province. The species joins a suite of several other Odonata species of southern affinity that have been newly documented for New Brunswick over the past 15 years, and its occurrence may represent range expansion resulting from warming climate
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No full textThe aspen parkland-associated grasslands of the Peace River region, British Columbia (BC), have been severely reduced in area, primarily because of agricultural and urban development. In this region, the species composition of plant communities is similar to that of prairie grasslands and is topographically influenced, occurring primarily on warm-aspect slopes along the Peace River and some of its tributaries. Historical records show that non-forested grass- and sedge-dominated plant communities occurred on flat and gently rolling terrain in a parkland ecosystem near what are now the communities of Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. The Peace grasslands are not represented in BC’s biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification, perhaps leading to their neglect in regional natural resource management and conservation planning. Here, I describe the vascular plant community of a level-terrain relict aspen parkland-associated grassland in the Peace River region. Its species composition differs from nearby warm-aspect grasslands and includes provincially listed plant species. Increased awareness of grassland communities may support conservation, ecosystem restoration, and climate change adaptation in the southern boreal region of BC
Frullania stylifera (Frullaniaceae), a new addition to the liverwort flora of Canada
No full textFrullania stylifera (R.M. Schust.) R.M. Schust. (Frullaniaceae) is newly reported for Canada. The species grows closelyappressed to the bark of trees and shrubs and was recently documented from two areas of mature forest at Buffalo Point First Nation in extreme southeastern Manitoba, Canada. These localities represent a northern range extension for the species on the continent and include two new phorophyte hosts for North America. Features used to distinguish F. stylifera from other known species of Frullania in Manitoba are provided
"Friend Beloved, Marie Stopes, Gordon Hewitt, and an Ecology of Letters" edited by L.J. Cameron, 2021 [book review]
No full textExotic Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) observations and removal from New Brunswick, Canada
Full text linkObservations of exotic Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) turtles are rare in New Brunswick (NB), Canada, but we found multiple individuals residing in the recreational area of Rockwood Park, Saint John. We present evidence that suggests that Red-eared Sliders are able to overwinter in at least one water body in Rockwood Park. Seven Red-eared Sliders were removed from water bodies in NB from 2014 to 2016 and one in 2022. Currently, there are no known locations with Red-eared Sliders persisting in NB. Les observations de Tortues à Oreilles Rouges (Trachemys scripta elegans) exotiques sont rares au Nouveau-Brunswick, Canada, mais nous avons trouvé plusieurs individus résidant dans la zone récréative de Rockwood Park, Saint John, NB. Nous présentons des preuves qui suggèrent que les Tortues à Oreilles Rouges sont capables d’hiverner dans au moins un plan d’eau du parc Rockwood. Aucun Tortue à Oreilles Rouges n’a été observé survivant au Nouveau-Brunswick depuis le retrait de sept individus de 2014 à 2016
