Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Muskrat populations are declining across North America. In recent decades, hybrid cattail Typha x glauca has been invading wetlands in North America. This invasion is degrading wetland habitat, leading to reduced interspersion of water and vegetation. Muskrats are wetland-obligates and their populations are positively linked to marsh interspersion. Therefore, muskrat populations may be… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Hybridization contributes to the genetic diversity and can impact speciation. This study investigates the genetic evidence of recent hybridization under climate change in sympatric populations of northern and southern flying squirrels in Ontario. Using low-coverage whole-genome sequences, my research examines the existing population structure and measures the genomic variation of the… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Acoustic communication is vital for mediating interactions between individuals and their environment. From echolocating bats to isolated rodent pups, ultrasonic vocalizations are a useful mechanism for producing localized and cryptic acoustic signals. Flying squirrels have been demonstrated to produce almost exclusively ultrasonic calls which is rare in both squirrels and mammals, though… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Northern flying squirrels (NFS) are mycophagous specialists (fungi-dominated diet) thatmay be displaced with southern flying squirrel (SFS) range expansion, thereby limiting
fungal dispersal in forest communities. To understand the implications of squirrel
species turnover on mycophagy, we investigated the home ranges of both flying squirrel
species who are living in stable sympatry. We… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Solmundson, Kirsten, Thesis advisor (ths): Wilson, Paul, Thesis advisor (ths): Bowman, Jeff, Degree committee member (dgc): Patterson, Brent, Degree committee member (dgc): Manseau, Micheline, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Globally, wildlife populations are experiencing increasing rates of range loss, population decline, and extinction. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) have experienced dramatic declines in both range and population size across Canada over the past century. Boreal caribou (R. t. caribou), one of twelve Designatable Units, have lost approximately half of their historic range in the last 150 years… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Wetlands are highly susceptible to the invasion of invasive species. The invasive hybrid cattail (Typha × glauca) is prevalent in the southeastern Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) wetlands. However, concerns arise about its recent proliferation in the northwestern PPR without maternal T. angustifolia. To determine taxonomic distribution, I used species-specific PCR-RFLP and microsatellite… more Year: 2024, 2024
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Advanced generation/backcrossed (non-F1) hybrids can be challenging to identify when their traits are similar to those of parental taxa, F1 hybrids, or both. This is particularly evident in the North American hybrid zone involving Typha latifolia, T. angustifolia, F1 T. × glauca and non-F1 hybrids. Cattails are challenging to differentiate based on gross morphological characteristics.… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): McFarlane, Samantha Amy, Thesis advisor (ths): Wilson, Paul J, Thesis advisor (ths): Manseau, Micheline, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree committee member (dgc): Steenweg, Robin, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Variation in habitat quality and disturbance levels can strongly influence a species' distribution, leading to spatial variation in population density and influencing population dynamics. It is therefore critical to understand how density can lead to variability in demographic responses for effective conservation and recovery of species. My dissertation illustrates how density and… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>AbstractDifferences and similarities in exploration and risk-taking behaviours
of two Myotis bat species.
Laura Michele Scott
Behaviours that are repeatable across circumstances and time determine an individual's personality. Personality and behavioural variation are subject to selective pressures, including risks related to the use of different habitat types. I explored the… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Increased plant size is expected to have negative consequences for mating by increasing pollen transfer among the same plant. However, recent theoretical studies have demonstrated that this may not be true for clonal plants. Instead, clonal expansion could enhance outcrossing opportunities without increasing selfing by reducing distances to potential mates. I investigated how the spatial… more Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Roosts offer bats protection from predators, shelter from external environmental conditions, and a space where sociality, mating, and the rearing of young can occur. However, knowledge gaps still remain for many forest roosting species, such as the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) surrounding what roosts are selected, and what variables are influential at differing scales of selection… more Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The length of photoperiod can alter circadian rhythms and change fat depot mass whencombined with environmental temperatures below thermoneutral. To isolate photoperiod effects, we compared the effects of long and short photoperiod exposure at thermoneutrality in photoperiod sensitive, F1 generation adult male white-footed mice (P. leucopus). Mice were housed in long-day or short-day… more Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>As wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) move farther north, informed management decisions are critical to support the sustainability of this reintroduced species. We tracked roost tree selection and patterns of the network of roost trees, for wild turkeys, over 2 years in Peterborough, ON, using GPS and VHF transmitters. Wild turkeys showed preference for taller and larger roost… more Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) is caused by the pathogen Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. Infected snakes exhibit dermal lesions, occasional systemic infections, and, in some cases, mortality. We studied snakes at Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, to explore whether ophidiomycosis develops during brumation or year-round. Throughout their active season, we quantified the… more Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The ability of animal populations to compensate for harvest mortality provides the basis for sustainable harvesting. Coyote populations are resilient to exploitation, but the underlying mechanisms of compensation and how they inter-relate are not fully understood. Moreover, deficiencies in the quality and quantity of information about eastern coyotes preclude effective management. I… more Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Munro, Keith, Thesis advisor (ths): Patterson, Brent R, Thesis advisor (ths): Pond, Bruce A, Degree committee member (dgc): Schaefer, James, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The primary method used to maintain white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations at densities that are ecologically, economically, socially, and culturally sustainable is hunter harvest. This method considers only the removal of animals from the population (the direct effect) and does not conventionally consider the costs imposed on deer as they adopt hunter avoidance… more Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): MacDonald, Amelia J., Thesis advisor (ths): Nol, Erica, Thesis advisor (ths): Smith, Paul A, Degree committee member (dgc): Murray, Dennis, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Many shorebirds rely on small numbers of staging sites during long annual migrations. Numerous species are declining and understanding the importance of staging sites is critical to successful conservation. We surveyed endangered rufa Red Knots staging in James Bay, Ontario during southbound migration from 2009 to 2018. We used an integrated population model to estimate passage… more Year: 2020, 2020
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Species ranges are changing and the rate at which the climate is warming is faster than anything previously seen in the past, consequently species will need to adapt quickly, track the climate or perish. Cold adapted terrestrial species are the most vulnerable, because they are limited by the availability of land at the cold edge of their range. This means that many alpine, boreal and… more Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Invasive species that alter habitats can have significant impacts on wildlife. The invasive graminoids Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud, hereafter Phragmites, and Typha × glauca Godr. are rapidly spreading into North American wetlands, replacing native vegetation. Invasive Phragmites is considered a potential threat to several species-at-risk (SAR), including some turtle… more
