When Canadians think of national wildlife icons, animals like the beaver, moose, or even the polar bear often come to mind. But a new study has revealed that Canada’s most unique terrestrial animal, in evolutionary terms, is the spiny softshell turtle. This unexpected distinction highlights the turtle’s long, distinct evolutionary path, which sets it apart from other Canadian species.
Measuring Evolutionary Distinctiveness
Researchers have, for the first time, ranked Canadian vertebrates by their “evolutionary distinctiveness” — how long each species has evolved independently from other Canadian species. This measurement captures the evolutionary uniqueness of each species, with the most distinct animals having no close relatives in Canada, representing millions of years of separate evolution.
Amphibians and Reptiles Lead in Uniqueness
Among Canada’s terrestrial animals, amphibians and reptiles topped the list as the most evolutionarily unique groups. The spiny softshell turtle claimed the crown as Canada’s most unique terrestrial animal. Other distinct species in these categories include the mudpuppy salamander and the Northern Alligator lizard.
The Top 20 Distinctive Canadian Animals
The research team compiled a list of Canada’s 20 most evolutionarily distinct animals within major taxonomic groups. Notable winners include the mudpuppy salamander for amphibians, the Virginia opossum for mammals, and the Belted Kingfisher for birds. The Pond Slider also took a top spot as the most distinct exotic species.
The Virginia Opossum: Canada’s Only Marsupial
As Canada’s only marsupial, the Virginia opossum unsurprisingly topped the mammals list. According to study co-author Emma Kominek, the opossum’s ranking was expected, while the appearance of the mudpuppy salamander as a unique amphibian was more surprising.
Tracing Canada’s Unique “Tree of Life”
To determine each species’ evolutionary score, researchers analyzed the entire family tree of Canadian vertebrates. The further back a species connected to its family tree, the higher its evolutionary distinctiveness score. The results underscore the uniqueness of animals like the spiny softshell turtle, which holds a distinct place in Canada’s “Tree of Life.”
Informing Conservation Efforts
The findings offer valuable insights for conservation efforts, as all the species listed have unique evolutionary histories that set them apart on the Canadian landscape. “Conservation of species at risk is often done at the national level,” explained study leader Professor Arne Mooers. These insights will aid in protecting Canada’s evolutionary heritage.
Beavers Still Hold National Status
For Canadians concerned about the beaver’s status as a national symbol, there’s good news. Although the spiny softshell turtle now holds the title of Canada’s most unique terrestrial animal, two species of beaver still rank among the top 20 most distinct mammals: the American beaver and the mountain beaver.
This research, published in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, redefines what it means to be a unique Canadian species and emphasizes the importance of conserving Canada’s remarkable biodiversity.
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