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Which animal is considered the “most Canadian”? Hint: it’s neither the beaver nor the moose.
Released today in the journal The Canadian Field-Naturalist, a groundbreaking study by researchers from Simon Fraser University evaluates, for the first time, terrestrial vertebrate species in Canada by their evolutionary distinctness. This refers to how long animals have evolved separately from other species found in Canada.
Species that rank highly do not have close relatives in Canada and may have evolved independently for up to a hundred million years.
The study concluded that amphibians and reptiles are the most evolutionarily unique groups in the country, with the spiny softshell turtle, known scientifically as Apalone spinifera, being identified as the terrestrial animal with the highest evolutionary distinctness.
According to the results, the top nationally distinct animals categorized by their groups are:
- Spiny Softshell Turtle (turtles)
- Mudpuppy (amphibians)
- Northern Alligator Lizard (reptiles)
- Virginia Opossum (mammals)
- Belted Kingfisher (birds)
- Pond Slider (exotic species)
Emma Kominek, a master’s student involved in compiling the lists, remarked, “The Opossum didn’t surprise us as it’s the only marsupial found in Canada. However, the mudpuppy salamander being on the list was intriguing.”
The research team analyzed all known vertebrates in Canada, including 222 mammals, 674 birds, 48 amphibians, and 49 reptiles, and developed Top 20 lists for each category based on their evolutionary distinctiveness scores.
Evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) is assessed by studying an entire species’ family tree. The longer the evolutionary journey a species has without close relatives, the higher its ED score. For this study, only species present in Canada were considered.
All the animals highlighted in the Top 20 rankings possess long evolutionary histories and unique biological traits that are not found in any other Canadian species. These unique species play a significant role in shaping the Canadian Tree of Life, which is a vital concept in biology that depicts the evolution of life on Earth.
SFU biological sciences professor Arne Mooers, who led the study and serves on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, stated, “As conservation efforts usually occur at the national level, it’s crucial to evaluate our evolutionary heritage in this manner.”
Given the current challenges facing biodiversity, including climate change, habitat degradation, and limited conservation resources, Mooers believes this study could be a valuable resource for national policymakers in determining prioritization for species conservation.
The research team also evaluated exotic species—non-native animals introduced through human action. Although exotic species are typically not deemed worthy of conservation efforts, researchers were surprised to discover that seven exotic animals made it to the Top 20 National lists.
Mooers noted, “Some exotic species, like the European Wall Lizard, come from distant locations, which explains their lack of relatives in Canada. However, we didn’t expect to see the wild horse and feral pig high on the list.” He suggested that considering exotic species could be valuable for understanding Canada’s biodiversity in the future.
As for the well-known beaver’s status as a national symbol,
Parks Canada can rest easy; the iconic beaver is not going anywhere just yet.
Both species of beavers, the American beaver and mountain beaver, appeared on the Top 20 list as some of Canada’s most distinct mammals, ranking third and sixth, respectively.
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