The Bell Bushlot Bioblitz 2009

an enumeration of the species observed

prepared by

Cathy Keddy and Tineke Kuiper

February 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Site ...... 2

The Bioblitz ...... 3

Developing the databases, recording field observations, and analyzing the results ...... 4

The Results...... 5 Geodiversity: the Foundation for Biodiversity ...... 5 Fantastic Fungi...... 8 Magical Mosses and Lovely Liverworts...... 12 Vascular Plant Variety ...... 14 Invertebrates Without 6 Legs...... 22 Intriguing Insects ...... 23 Amazing Amphibians ...... 26 Writhing Reptiles...... 27 Fabulous Fish...... 28 Birds of a Feather...... 28 Marvelous Mammals ...... 30

Reference ...... 31

Appendix I — 2009 MVFN Bioblitz Schedule ...... 32

Appendix II — Sample Pages from Tally Sheets ...... 33

1 The Site

The Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists’ (MVFN) 2009 bioblitz took place in the fall on the 95-acre Bell Bushlot owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This property provides an excellent, representative example of deciduous forest on Canadian Shield in Lanark County. The majority is upland, dominated by Sugar Maple forest, with small areas of mixed hardwoods including Sugar Maple, Ironwood, Basswood, Black Cherry and White Birch. Swamps in the lowlands are composed mostly of Black Ash and White Cedar, with some Yellow Birch. A small pocket of soft maple (red/silver) occurs adjacent to a small, shallow pond. The stream crossing

Bell Bushlot—Sugar Maple forest with rock outcrops

the north end of the property was flowing during the bioblitz, but the narrow valley wetlands through which the property drains to the east had no standing water at this time of year.

The property is located about 9 km west of Almonte (part of the west half of Lot 20, Concession 3, Ramsay Township in Lanark County), at the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ramsay Con. 3B. It was acquired by the Nature Conservancy of Canada in 2000 as a generous donation from Halcyone Bell, who together with husband John Mackenzie Bell originally purchased the property in 1948 from William Giles. An interesting historical note is that John Mackenzie Bell 2 was from a long line of geologists including Robert Bell, his great uncle, who was a famous Canadian geologist and fourth Director of the Geological Survey of Canada.

The Bioblitz

The bioblitz of the property (an enumeration of species conducted over a 24-hour period) began at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19 and continued until Sunday, September 20 at 3:00 p.m. The weather cooperated—both days were sunny and cool (average of 18.5oC high, 4.4oC low; http://ottawa.weatherstats.ca/temperature-1year.csv).

More than 100 participants volunteered in the search to see how many species could be found—large and small, we looked for them all! Over 20 one-hour guided walks, engaging for both the experienced as well as novice naturalist, were led by 23 expert field biologists. A program of nature exploration for children also complemented these guided walks. A complete schedule of guided walks held during the bioblitz is included as Appendix I.

Species were tallied during the guided walks, by the experts on their own time, and by other participants. On each guided walk, a photographer accompanied the leader to document interesting finds, habitats, and the joy of participation.

Taking a close look (© D. Dunning)

3 Developing the databases, recording field observations, and analyzing the results

Prior to the bioblitz, the tallymaster’s team, with input from some of the experts, developed preliminary databases for all major groups of organisms, as well as a coordinated system for the acquisition and analysis of the data. For non-vascular plants, some groups of insects (butterflies, dragonflies, moths, beetles), amphibians, and reptiles, these were based on the Natural Heritage Information System for Ontario. For vascular plants, the list for Lanark County by David White (2009) served as the major source. The database for birds was based in part on information from the Ontario Field Ornithologists, and for fungi the database was based on the Liste des Macromycetes-Outaouais Quebec. Databases for other organisms were developed from a variety of sources.

Based in part on prior inventories of the site, the date of the bioblitz, and habitats occurring on the property, shorter species lists comprising organisms more likely to be encountered during this particular bioblitz were extracted from the larger databases. Existing lists were modified to reflect the most up-to-date scientific names. These shorter lists were incorporated in tally sheets for use by all observers (see examples in Appendix II). As the tally sheets were returned to the tally master at the base camp, the first report for each species was reviewed by the experts to avoid potentially erroneous identifications. After verification, the species records were entered on the tally board and subsequently into the bioblitz database. All observers who sighted each species were noted in the computerized tally records (data entry system), giving some indication of relative abundance, and providing additional weight to the validity of the observations. Upon completion, the results were reviewed by the experts yet a second time, although essentially no further changes were made.

The tally board at the base camp fills with records (© C. Keddy)

4 The Results

In just 24 hours over 500 species were seen, heard, or accounted for by other evidence. Contributions to the species total by organism group are shown below.

Vascular Plants 261 Insects 63 Fungi 58 Mosses 50 Birds 30 Mammals 19 Invertebrates Without 6 Legs 17 Liverworts 16 Amphibians 9 Reptiles 2 Fish 1 TOTAL 526

Not only was the biodiversity of the site enumerated, but a preliminary assessment of the geodiversity of the property was also conducted. We first report on our geological discoveries and then on the details of our biological results.

For each group of organisms (fungi, mosses and liverworts, vascular plants, invertebrates without six legs, insects, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, mammals), you will find a synopsis which is followed by the list of species recorded during the 24-hour bioblitz. The species lists produced as a result of this bioblitz provide a one-day snap shot, not an inventory of the property. A full inventory would, by contrast, involve enumeration of species by experts during all seasons and preferably over several years.

Geodiversity: the Foundation for Biodiversity

This preliminary assessment of the Bell Property revealed many unexpected features that add appeal to this site as an ideal area for investigations of geology as well as biology.

The entire area appears to be underlain almost entirely by one rock type: crystalline limestone or marble (a metamorphic rock that has been recystallized from sedimentary limestone as a result of heat and pressure attainable only through burial to depths of >10 kilometers). These rocks are within the >1 billion-year-old Grenville Province, a major southern subdivision of the Canadian Shield. Much of the marble is massive, but foliation (metamorphic layering) is locally abundant.

The property is an example of a low-relief Precambrian area. Although developed on metamorphic terrane, the bedrock is extremely calcareous. In addition, the soil cover is relatively thin and well-developed near-vertical joint sets have been dramatically widened by solution- weathering, allowing rapid downward drainage after heavy rainfalls, such as experienced many times in 2009. 5

Moss and lichen-covered pavement of crystalline limestone showing two sets of prominent solution-widened vertical joints (© A. Donaldson)

Many rounded exposures of marble poke through the thin unconsolidated cover of silty glacial outwash, simulating close-spaced buried cobbles and boulders. Examination of numerous large outcrops throughout the area reveals well-developed orthogonal joint sets (two sets subvertical; one subhorizontal) that have controlled the process of prominent solution-widening along the planar joints, allowing rapid chemical weathering of joint-bounded blocks. A full progression from roughly cubic and rectangular bocks to spherical and ovoid forms is obvious (such well-rounded rocks formed by in situ weathering are known as corestones, and have been recognized at unconformities in the rock record). Almost all small clustered exposures of crystalline limestone on the property are true bedrock rather than glacially transported boulders. Some are partly buried by overburden, and many have been differentially shoved upward by the repetition of freeze-thaw action along the horizontal set of joints. Others have been split and rotated by frost action along the vertical sets of joints. This can be verified by matching the trends of foliation (metamorphic layering) from block to block and “boulder” to “boulder.”

Several outcrops display cross-cutting relationships: both quartz veins and feldspar-rich pegmatite dykes were intruded, in the liquid state along fractures, into the Grenville host rock. Local faulting is recorded by zones of breccia (angular rock fragments).

A boulder split by freeze-thaw action (© J. King)

Another great discovery (fortuitously right next to the Base Camp) was a large glacial erratic (a rock transported by glacial action) of granite pegmatite (rock containing giant crystals— in this case of feldspar, the most abundant mineral at the surface of our planet). On our two walks we discovered a great variety of rock types among the erratics (basalt, rhyolite, gabbro, diorite, monzonite, granitic gneiss, biotite schist, amphibolite, quartzite, and a cobblestone of intrusive igneous rock containing an inclusion of older mafic rock). The latter was derived from that part of the crust intruded by the younger felsic magma that cooled to form the present rock—from which this boulder was scraped during the last Ice Age.

No unmetamorphosed sandstone or limestone erratics were found. Why? Because the bedrock to the north is part of the Precambrian Shield, so if any erratics of unmetamorphosed sedimentary rock are discovered on the property in the future, that would be a significant find, indicating possible transport all the way from the James Bay Lowlands!

7 Fantastic Fungi

Our finds of fungi were arrayed elegantly on the work table as they were identified—all colours of the rainbow represented. Eyelashes, dead man’s fingers, chicken of the woods… names that could be applied only in the fungal world!

The results of the fantastic fungal frenzy (© P. Donaldson)

The 58 species catalogued during this bioblitz represent a fraction of the hundreds of mushroom species (fungi that fruit) common in Southern Ontario woodlots. The majority (82%), of the fungi found belong to the Basidiomycota which produce their spores on club-shaped cells called basidia. This diverse group includes puffballs, polypores, and typical mushrooms with fleshy caps. The Ascomycota, which produce their spores inside elongate sacs called asci, were represented by seven species. One species of slime mold (Myxomycota) was seen. The last two species on the list are imperfect fungi—unlike mushrooms, they do not reproduce sexually.

Chicken of the Woods (top), Eyelash Cup (left), Orange Mycena

Because the bioblitz took place at the end of a warm dry period, there were few ground fruiting species. On wood we found the tough bracket fungi, but also a nice smattering of cups, jellies, slimes, and crusts. The low areas with tangles of downed wood were prime habitat for the saprophytes, the decomposers, which dominate the list. As the forest matures, parasitic species and mycorrhizal species (fungal symbionts of plants that assist with nutrient provision) will increase.

Chocolate Tube Slime Mold (© M. Garbutt) 9 The fungi found during the bioblitz are listed below.

Basidiomycota (club fungi)

Agaricaceae Agaricus arvensis Horse Mushroom Amanita citrine Amanita muscaria var. alba Fly Agaric Coprinaceae Coprinus atramentarius Tipplers Bane Cortinariaceae Cortinarius multiformis Crepidotus applanatus Flot Crep Inocybe fastigiata Straw Coloured Fibre Hat Entolomataceae Entoloma strictus Straight Stalked Entaloma Lycoperdaceae Calvatia gigantean Giant Puffball Lycoperdon perlatum Gem Studded Puffball Lycoperdon pyriforme Stump Puffball Mycenaceae Mycena haematopus Bleeding Mycena Mycena leaiana Orange Mycena Pleurotaceae Pleurotus ostreatus Oyster Mushroom Strophariaceae Hypholoma sublateritium Brick Tops Pholiota squarrosoides Scaly Pholiote Tricholomataceae Clitocybula familia Hygrocybe auratocephala Waxy Cap Hygrocybe conica Witch's Hat Hygrocybe miniata Hypsizygus tessulatus Elm Oyster Boletaceae (Boletes) Suillus americanus Chicken Fat Suillus Tylopilus felleus Bitter Bolete Clavariaceae (Coral Fungi) Ramaria abietina Fomitaceae (Polypores) Fomes fomentarius Tinder Conk Fomitopsidaceae (Polypores) Daedalea quercina Thick Maze Polypore Piptoporus betulinus Birch Polypore Ganodermataceae (Polypores) Ganoderma applanatum Artist Conk Ganoderma tsugae Hemlock Varnish Polyporaceae (Polypores) Daedaleopsis confragosa Maze Polypore Laetiporus sulphureus Chicken Of The Woods Lenzites betulina Birch Lenzites Polyporus badius Black-footed Polypore Polyporus radicatus Rooted Polypore 10 Polyporus squammosus Dryads Saddle Trametes pubescens Trametes versicolor Turkey Tail Trichaptum biforme Violet Toothed Polypore Steccherinaceae (Polypores) Irpex lacteus Milk-white Toothed Polypore Sclerodermataceae Scleroderma citrinum Pig Skin Puffball Hericiaceae Hericium coralloides Bear's Head Tooth Hericium ramosum Comb Tooth Russulaceae Lactarius deliciosus Saffron Milkcap Lactarius piperatus Peppery Milkcap Lactarius thyinos Lactarius torminosus Woolly Milkcap Russula emetic Emetic Russula Russula mariae Purple Bloom Russula

Ascomycota (sac fungi)

Cudoniaceae Chlorociboria aeruginescens Green Stain Pezizaceae Pachyella clypeata Copper Penny

Pyrenomycetaceae Scutellinia scutellata Eyelash Cup Xylariaceae Hypoxylon fragiforme Red Cushion Hypoxylon Kretzschmaria deusta Xylaria hypoxylon Carbon Antlers Xylaria polymorpha Dead Man's Fingers

Myxomycota (slime molds)

Stemonitaceae Stemonitis axifera Chocolate Tube Slime

Fungi Imperfecti (not sexually reproducing)

Melampsora medusae Poplar Leaf Rust Sirococcus clavigignenti-juglandacearum Butternut Canker

11 Magical Mosses and Lovely Liverworts

Mosses and liverworts are kinds of non-vascular plants. Neither has a vascular tissue— specialized cells for transporting water and nutrients (xylem) and photosynthetic products (phloem) within the plant (like our circulatory system). Lacking an internal circulation system, they must take in water lying on their surfaces and distribute it by relatively slow means such as diffusion and capillary action. Thus non-vascular plants tend to be thin, small and grow in moist places.

The diversity and abundance of the moss flora of the property indicate that the woodland is in good ecological condition. The streambed and wetlands were the most species-rich areas for bryophytes (this includes mosses, liverworts, and hornworts- like liverworts, but they have stomata and none was found during the bioblitz). Sexy sphagnum and vivacious liverworts, such as the Snakeskin Liverwort (Conocephalum conicum) were swamp highlights. The very attractive Shaggy Moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetris), resembling an electrified cat's tail, and River Thyme- moss (Pseudobryum cinclidioides, uncommon, considered vulnerable in Ontario) were also noteworthy among the 16 liverwort and 50 moss species found during the bioblitz.

Shaggy Moss, the electrified Snakeskin Liverwort (© K. Thompson) cat’s tail (© J. Doubt)

Mosses

Amblystegium serpens Anomodon attenuates Atrichum sp. (2 species) Barbula sp. Brachythecium sp. (2 species) Bryhnia novae-angliae Bryum pseudotriquetrum 12 Callicladium haldanianum Campylium stellatum (Yellow Starry Fen Moss) Dicranum flagellare Dicranum fuscescens Dicranum montanum Dicranum polysetum (Electric Eels) Dicranum scoparium (Broom Moss) Dicranum viride Drepanocladus aduncus Encalypta procera (Extinguisher Moss) Eurhynchium pulchellum Fissidens sp. (2 species) Hedwigia ciliate Hylocomium splendens (Stair-step Moss) Hypnum lindbergii Hypnum pallescens Leskeella nervosa Leucobryum glaucum Mnium sp. Orthotrichum speciosum Plagiomnium ciliare Plagiomnium cuspidatum Plagiomnium ellipticum Platygyrium repens Pleurozium schreberi (Schrebers Moss) Polytrichum commune Polytrichum juniperinum (Juniper Moss) Polytrichum piliferum (Hair Cap Moss) Pseudorubrum cinclidoides (River Thyme-moss) Ptilium crista-castrensis (Knight's Plume) Pylaisiella sp. Rhizomnium sp. Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Shaggy Moss) Sanionia uncinata Sphagnum sp. Tetraphis pellucid Thuidium delicatulum (Fern Moss) Tortella tortuosa Tortula ruralis Ulota crispa

Liverworts

Barbilophozia barbata (Bearded Pawwort) Bazzania trilobata Calypogeia sp. Conocephalum conicum (Snakeskin Liverwort) Frullania sp. Geocalyx graveolens Jamesoniella autumnalis Lepidozia reptans Lophocolea heterophylla

13 Marchantia polymorpha Nowellia curvifolia Plagiochila porelloides Porella sp. Ptilidium pulcherrimum Radula complanata Riccardia sp.

Vascular Plant Variety

A total of 261 species of vascular plants (having vascular tissue; see mosses and lichens) representing 66 plant families was observed. Nine species are considered sparse and eight are considered rare according to the 2009 Lanark County plant list (White 2009). This woodland is the county’s only location for Clustered Snakeroot (Sanicula odorata), a member of the parsley family. A third record for the county was collected for Sweet Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium), related to the common Pearly Everlasting. The other rare species included Boott’s Wood Fern (a hybrid between Crested Wood Fern and Evergreen Wood Fern), Showy Orchis,

Sweet Everlasting Boott’s Wood Fern Nodding ladies’-tresses (© D.J. White) (© K. Thompson) (© K. Thompson)

Purple-leaved Willow-herb, Brooklime, Rough Bedstraw, and Ontario Aster.

Beech trees were noticeably uncommon in this Sugar Maple woodland. The scattered Butternut trees were cankered as a result of infection by the fungus Sirococcus clavigignenti- 14 juglandacearum. Non-native species (indicated by * in the species list), introduced from Europe and Asia, made up 16% of the total number of species observed. Sampling in the fall resulted in species such as asters, goldenrods, daisies, and ferns being well-represented, while groups such as spring ephemerals (e.g., Trout Lily, Dutchman’s Breeches, Spring Beauty), which flower before the trees leaf out and shade them, were not obvious.

Showy Orchis (© D.J. White)

Lycopodiaceae Club-Moss Family Diphasiastrum digitatum (A. Br.) Holub Fan-shaped Club-moss Diphasiastrum tristachyum (Pursh) Holub Blue Ground-cedar Lycopodium annotinum L. Stiff Club-moss Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum arvense L. Field Horsetail Equisetum scirpoides Michx. Dwarf Scouring-rush Ophioglossaceae Adder's-Tongue Family Botrychium multifidum (Gmel.) Rupr. Leathery Grape Fern Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. Rattlesnake Fern Osmundaceae Flowering Fern Family Osmunda cinnamomea L. Cinnamon Fern Pteridaceae Maidenhair Fern Family Adiantum pedatum L. Maidenhair Fern Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Fern Family Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn Bracken Fern Thelypteridaceae Marsh Fern Family Phegopteris connectilis (Michx.) Watt Northern Beech Fern Thelypteris noveboracensis (L.) Nieuwl. New York Fern Thelypteris palustris Schott Marsh Fern 15 Dryopteridaceae Wood Fern Family Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth var. angustum (Willd.) Lawson Lady Fern Cystopteris bulbifera (L.) Bernh. Bulblet Fern Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H.P. Fuchs Spinulose Wood Fern Dryopteris cristata (L.) Gray Crested Wood Fern Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl.) Gray Evergreen Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis (L.) Gray Marginal Shield Fern Dryopteris Xboottii (Tuckerm.) Underw. Boott’s Wood Fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newm. Oak Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod. Ostrich Fern Onoclea sensibilis L. Sensitive Fern Pinaceae Pine Family Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. Balsam Fir Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White Spruce Pinus strobus L. White Pine Pinus sylvestris L. *Scotch Pine Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. Hemlock Cupressaceae Cypress Family Juniperus communis L. Juniper Thuja occidentalis L. White Cedar Alismataceae Water-Plantain Family Alisma triviale Pursh Water-plantain Poaceae (Gramineae) Grass Family Agrostis gigantea Roth *Redtop Bromus inermis Leyss. *Awnless Brome Grass Cinna latifolia (Trev. ex Goepp.) Griseb. Drooping Woodreed Danthonia spicata (L.) Beauv. ex R. & S. Poverty Grass Elymus repens (L.) Gould. *Quack Grass Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitchc. Fowl Manna Grass Muhlenbergia mexicana (L.) Trin. Mexican Muhlenbergia Oryzopsis racemosa (Sm.) Ricker ex Hitchc. Mountain-rice Panicum capillare L. Old Witch Grass Phalaris arundinacea L. *Reed Canary Grass Phleum pratense L. *Timothy Poa pratensis L. *Kentucky Blue Grass Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swallen False Melic Grass Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex arctata Boott Compressed Sedge Carex bebbii (Bailey) Olney ex Fern. Bebb’s Sedge Carex communis Bailey Common Sedge Carex disperma Dew. Two-seeded Sedge Carex eburnea Boott Ivory Sedge Carex flava L. Yellow Sedge Carex gracillima Schwein. Filiform Sedge Carex intumescens Rudge Bladder Sedge Carex lucorum Willd. ex Link Distant Sedge Carex lupulina Muhl. ex Willd. Hop Sedge Carex pallescens L. Pale Sedge Carex pedunculata Muhl. ex Willd. Peduncled Sedge Carex pensylvanica Lam. Pennsylvania Sedge Carex plantaginea Lam. Plantain-leaved Sedge Carex platyphylla Carey Broad-leaved Sedge Carex radiata (Wahl.) Small Sedge 16 Carex rosea Schkuhr ex Willd. Stellate Sedge Carex vesicaria L. Inflated Sedge Scirpus atrovirens Willd. Blackish Bulrush Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth Wool-grass Scirpus pendulus Muhl. ex Willd. Reddish Bulrush Araceae Arum Family Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott Jack-in-the-pulpit Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus dudleyi Wieg. Dudley’s Rush Liliaceae Lily Family Allium tricoccum Ait. Wild Leek Clintonia borealis (Ait.) Raf. Bluebead-lily Convallaria majalis L. *Lily-of-the-valley Maianthemum canadense Desf. var. canadense Wild Lily-of-the-valley Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link False Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum pubescens (Willd.) Pursh Hairy Solomon’s Seal Streptopus lanceolatus (Ait.) Rev. Rose Twistedstalk Trillium grandiflorum (Michx.) Salisb. White Trillium Uvularia grandiflora Sm. Bellwort Orchidaceae Orchid Family Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz *Helleborine Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf. Showy Orchis Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. Bog Twayblade Platanthera aquilonis Sheviak Northern Green Orchid Spiranthes cernua (L.) Rich. Nodding Ladies’-tresses Salicaceae Willow Family Populus balsamifera L. Balsam Poplar Populus deltoides Bartram ex Marsh. Cottonwood Populus grandidentata Michx. Large-toothed Aspen Populus tremuloides Michx. Trembling Aspen Salix bebbiana Sarg. Bebb’s Willow Salix lucida Muhl. Shining Willow Salix petiolaris Sm. Slender Willow Juglandaceae Walnut Family Carya cordiformis (Wang.) K. Koch Bitternut Hickory Juglans cinerea L. Butternut Betulaceae Birch Family Betula alleghaniensis Britt. Yellow Birch Betula papyrifera Marsh. White Birch Carpinus caroliniana Walt. Blue-beech Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch Ironwood, Hop Hornbeam Fagaceae Beech Family Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. Beech Quercus macrocarpa Michx. Bur Oak Quercus rubra L. Red Oak Ulmaceae Elm Family Ulmus americana L. American Elm Urticaceae Nettle Family Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw. False Nettle Laportea canadensis (L.) Wedd. Wood Nettle Pilea pumila (L.) Gray Clearweed Aristolochiaceae Birthwort Family Asarum canadense L. Wild Ginger 17 Polygonaceae Buckwheat Family Rumex acetosella L. Sheep Sorrel Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Dianthus armeria L. *Deptford Pink Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke Bladder Campion Ranunculaceae Crowfoot Family Actaea pachypoda Ell. White Baneberry Anemone acutiloba (DC.) Laws. Sharp-lobed Hepatica Anemone virginiana L. Thimbleweed Aquilegia canadensis L. Columbine Clematis virginiana L. Virgin’s-bower Coptis trifolia (L.) Salisb. Goldthread Ranunculus abortivus L. Kidneyleaf Buttercup Ranunculus recurvatus Poir. Hooked Crowfoot Berberidaceae Barberry Family Caulophyllum giganteum (Farw.) Loc. & Black. Blue Cohosh Papaveraceae Poppy Family Sanguinaria canadensis L. Bloodroot Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Mitella nuda L. Naked Mitrewort Penthorum sedoides L. Ditch-stonecrop Grossulariaceae Gooseberry Family Ribes americanum Mill. Wild Black Currant Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. Swamp Currant Ribes triste Pall. American Red Currant Rosaceae Rose Family Agrimonia gryposepala Wallr. Hooked Agrimony Fragaria virginiana Mill. Wild Strawberry Geum aleppicum Jacq. Yellow Avens Geum canadense Jacq. White Avens Potentilla recta L. *Rough-fruited Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex Michx. Common Cinquefoil Prunus pensylvanica L. f. Pin Cherry Prunus serotina Ehrh. Black Cherry Prunus virginiana L. Choke Cherry Rubus allegheniensis Porter Blackberry Rubus idaeus L. ssp. strigosus (Michx.) Focke Red Raspberry Rubus occidentalis L. Black Raspberry Rubus pubescens Raf. Dwarf Raspberry Spiraea alba Du Roi Meadowsweet Waldsteinia fragarioides (Michx.) Tratt. Barren-strawberry Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Bean Family Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fern. Hog-peanut Medicago lupulina L. *Black Medic Melilotus alba Desr. *White Sweet-clover Trifolium aureum Poll. *Hop Clover Trifolium pratense L. *Red Clover Trifolium repens L. *White Clover Vicia cracca L. *Vetch Oxalidaceae Wood-Sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella L. Wood-sorrel Oxalis stricta L. *Yellow Wood-sorrel

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Geranium robertianum L. *Herb Robert Rutaceae Rue Family Zanthoxylum americanum Mill. Prickly-ash Anacardiaceae Cashew Family Rhus typhina L. Staghorn Sumac Toxicodendron rydbergii (Small ex Rydb.) Greene Poison Ivy Celastraceae Staff-Tree Family Celastrus scandens L. Bittersweet Aceraceae Maple Family Acer rubrum L. Red Maple Acer saccharinum L. Silver Maple Acer saccharum Marsh. Sugar Maple Acer spicatum Lam. Mountain Maple Acer Xfreemanii Murr. Hybrid Soft Maple Balsaminaceae Touch-Me-Not Family Impatiens capensis Meerb. Touch-me-not Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Rhamnus alnifolia L’Hér. Alder-leaved Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica L. *Common Buckthorn Vitaceae Grape Family Parthenocissus vitacea (Knerr) Hitchc. Virginia Creeper Vitis riparia Michx. Wild Grape Tiliaceae Linden Family Tilia americana L. Basswood Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) St. John’s-Wort Family Hypericum perforatum L. Common St. John’s-wort Violaceae Violet Family Viola blanda Willd. Sweet White Violet Viola canadensis L. Canada Violet Viola labradorica Schrank Dog Violet Viola pubescens Ait. Downy Yellow Violet Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved Violet Thymelaeaceae Mezereum Family Dirca palustris L. Leatherwood Lythraceae Loosestrife Family Lythrum salicaria L. *Purple Loosestrife Onagraceae Evening-Primrose Family Circaea alpina L. Alpine Enchanter’s Nightshade Circaea lutetiana L. ssp. canadensis (L.) Asch. & Magnus Enchanter’s Nightshade Epilobium ciliatum Raf. Northern Willow-herb Epilobium coloratum Biehler Purple-leaved Willow-herb Araliaceae Ginseng Family Aralia nudicaulis L. Wild Sarsaparilla Aralia racemosa L. Spikenard Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Parsley Family Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. Honewort Daucus carota L. *Queen Anne’s-lace Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) Clarke Sweet Cicely Sanicula marilandica L. Black Snakeroot Sanicula odorata (Raf.) Pryer & Phillippe Clustered Snakeroot Sanicula trifoliata Bickn. Large-fruited Snakeroot 19 Sium suave Walt. Water-parsnip Cornaceae Dogwood Family Cornus alternifolia L. f. Alternate-leaved Dogwood Cornus stolonifera Michx. Red Osier Pyrolaceae Wintergreen Family Pyrola elliptica Nutt. Shinleaf Monotropaceae Indian-Pipe Family Monotropa uniflora L. Indian Pipe Primulaceae Primrose Family Lysimachia nummularia L. *Moneywort Trientalis borealis Raf. Starflower Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus americana L. White Ash Fraxinus nigra Marsh. Black Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. Red Ash Apocynaceae Dogbane Family Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Dogbane Asclepiadaceae Milkweed Family Asclepias syriaca L. Common Milkweed Boraginaceae Borage Family Echium vulgare L. *Blue-weed Hackelia deflexa (Wahl.) Opiz American Stickseed Hackelia virginiana (L.) Johnst. Virginian Stickseed Verbenaceae Vervain Family Phryma leptostachya L. Lopseed Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Mint Family Clinopodium vulgare L. Basil Lycopus americanus Muhl. Cut-leaved Water-horehound Lycopus uniflorus Michx. Northern Water-horehound Mentha arvensis L. Wild Mint Prunella vulgaris L. *Heal-all Scutellaria lateriflora L. Mad Dog Skullcap Solanaceae Nightshade Family Solanum dulcamara L. *Climbing Nightshade Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Linaria vulgaris Mill. *Butter-and-eggs Mimulus ringens L. Monkey-flower Verbascum thapsus L. *Mullein Veronica americana (Raf.) Schwein. ex Benth. Brooklime Veronica officinalis L. *Common Speedwell Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago lanceolata L. *English Plantain Plantago major L. *Common Plantain Plantago rugelii Decne. Pale Plantain Rubiaceae Madder Family Galium asprellum Michx. Rough Bedstraw Galium circaezans Michx. White Wild Licorice Galium lanceolatum Torr. Yellow Wild Licorice Galium mollugo L. *White Bedstraw Galium palustre L. Marsh Bedstraw Galium triflorum Michx. Fragrant Bedstraw Mitchella repens L. Partridge-berry

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Linnaea borealis L. Twinflower Lonicera canadensis Bartr. ex Marsh. Canada Honeysuckle Triosteum aurantiacum Bickn. Horse-gentian Campanulaceae Harebell Family Lobelia inflata L. Indian Tobacco Asteraceae (Compositae) Composite Family Achillea millefolium L. *Yarrow Ageratina altissima (L.) King & Robins. White-snakeroot Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Ragweed Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Clarke Pearly Everlasting Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. *Burdock Bidens frondosus L. Large-leaved Beggarticks Centaurea maculosa Lam. *Spotted Knapweed Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. *Bull Thistle Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. Horseweed Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Daisy Fleabane Erigeron philadelphicus L. Common Fleabane Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. Strigose Fleabane Eupatorium maculatum L. Joe-Pye-Weed Eupatorium perfoliatum L. Boneset Eurybia macrophylla (L.) Cass. Large-leaved Aster Euthamia graminifolia (L.) Nutt. Narrow-leaved Goldenrod Hieracium aurantiacum L. *Orange Hawkweed Lactuca canadensis L. Wild Lettuce Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. *Ox-eye Daisy Prenanthes altissima L. Tall White-lettuce Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & Burtt Sweet Everlasting Rudbeckia hirta L. Brown-eyed Susan Solidago altissima L. Tall Goldenrod Solidago caesia L. Blue-stemmed Goldenrod Solidago canadensis L. Canada Goldenrod Solidago juncea Ait. Early Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis Ait. Gray Goldenrod Solidago rugosa Mill. Rough Goldenrod Sonchus arvensis L. *Sow-thistle Sonchus oleraceus L. *Annual Sow-thistle Symphyotrichum ciliolatum (Lindl. in Hook.) Löve & Löve *Ciliolate Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium (L.) Nesom Heart-leaved Aster Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Willd.) Löve & Löve Panicled Aster Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (L.) Löve & Löve Calico Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) Nesom New England Aster Symphyotrichum ontarione (Wieg.) Nesom Ontario Aster Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) Löve & Löve Purple-stemmed Aster Taraxacum officinale Weber *Dandelion Tussilago farfara L. *Coltsfoot

21 Invertebrates Without 6 Legs

A guided inventory walk and an expert were assigned the specific task of tracking down invertebrates other than insects (e.g., spiders, mollusks, millipedes). In addition, several invertebrate species were recorded on guided walks that focused on other organism groups.

A millipede (Sigmoria trimaculata) beside its A slug’s eye view cast off exoskeleton (© J. King) (© K. Thompson)

In all, we found four millipedes, a clam, four snails, two slugs, an earthworm, a sowbug, three spiders, and a mite for a total of 17 invertebrates other than insects.

Class/Order/Family

Diplopoda (Millipedes) Spirobolida Spirobolidae Narceus americanus (native species) Julida Julidae Ophyiulus sp. (European species) Polydesmida Polydesmidae Pseudopolydesmus sp. (native species) Xystodesmidae Sigmoria trimaculata (native species) Gastropoda (Snails & Slugs) Veneroida Pisidiidae Pisidium sp. (Pea Clam) Basommatophora Lymnaeidae Stagnicola elodes (Marsh Pond Snail) Physidae Aplexa elongata (Lance Aplexa)

Stylommatophora Polygyridae Neohelix cf. albilabris (Land Snail) Triadopsis (Land Snail) Philomycidae Philomycus cf. togatus (Mantleslug) Pallifera sp. (Small Mantleslug) Clitellata (Leaches & Worms) Haplotaxida Lumbricidae Earthworm Crustacea (Crustaceans) Isopoda Oniscidae Sow Bug Arachnida (Spiders & Mites) Opilionia Phalangidae Leiobunum sp. (Daddy Long-legs) Aranea Tetragnathidae Stilt Spider Thomisidae Crab Spider (unknown order) Mite

Intriguing Insects

Insects were most abundant in the more open areas with asters and goldenrod. In addition, two raccoon carcasses and one grouse carcass, approximately a week old were examined for carrion insects. The sunny, warm daytime hours were excellent for insect observation, but the diversity of species is poor (just 63) because of the wet summer and because the inventory was conducted late in the summer. Since the night temperature was less than 10oC, indicating night moth species diversity would likely be low, elaborate moth traps were not set up. The majority of the moth species records are based on larval identifications. In addition to observations at ground

American Carrion Beetle (Necrophilia americana) Crane Fly (Can you identify the other two insects from our list?) (© M. Garbutt) (© K. Thompson)

23 level, lepidopteran larvae (caterpillars) were shaken from saplings and caught beneath them in an inverted, four-cornered, white “umbrella” where they could be easily observed. The largest larva found (8 cm long) was that of the Imperial Moth. Note its colourful hind end—much more likely to attract a predator than its head.

The diverse array of insects found during the bioblitz is shown below. They represent eight orders and 39 families. Some insects were identifiable only to family.

Odonata (Dragonflies & Damselflies) Aeshnidae Aeshna interrupta Variable Darner Anax junius Common green Darner Lestidae Lestes rectangularis Slender Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus Lyme-tipped Spreadwing Libellulidae Sympetrum costiferum Saffron-bordered Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum rubicundulum Ruby Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum Yellow-legged Meadowhawk Orthoptera (Grasshoppers & Crickets) Acrididae Melanoplus femurrubrum Red-legged Grasshopper Gryllidae Nemobius sp. Cricket Hemiptera (Bugs) Cercopidae Spittlebug Cicadidae Tibicen canicularis Dog-day Cicada Gerridae Water Strider Membracidae Ceresa sp. Treehopper Miridae Lygus lineolaris Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus vanduzeei Plant Bug Pentatomidae Apateticus sp. Stink Bug Acrosternum sp. Stink Bug Coleoptera (Beetles) Cantharidae Chauliognathus pensylvanicus Goldenrod Soldier Beetle Carabidae Poecilus lucublandus Ground Beetle Chrysomelidae Labidomera clivicollis Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle Coccinellidae Harmonia axyridis Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle 24 Hippodamia parenthesis Parenthesis Lady Beetle Silphidae Nicrophorus defodiens Carrion Beetle Nicrophorus tomentosus Gold-necked Carrion Beetle Necrophila Americana American Carrion Beetle Tenebrionidae Bolithocerus cornutus Forked Fungus Beetle Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths) Arctiidae Halysidota tessellaris Pale Tussock Euchaetes egle Milkweed Tussock Ctenucha virginica Virginia Ctenucha Geometridae Biston betularia Peppered Moth Lymantriidae Lymantria dispar Gypsy Moth Noctuidae Acronicta Americana American Dagger Moth Cucullia convexipennis Brown-boardered Cucullia Digrammia continuata Curve-lined Angle Moth Caenurgina crassiuscula Clover Looper Notodontidae Clostera albosigma Sigmoid Prominent Gluphisia septentrionis Common Gluphisia Heterocampa sp. Prominent Oligocentria sp. Prominent Schizura sp. Prominent Symmerista leucitys Orange-humped Mapleworm Nymphalidae Boloria selene Silver-bordered Fritillary Danaus plexippus Monarch Butterfly Pieridae Colias philodice Clouded (Common) Sulphur Saturniidae Eacles imperialis Imperial Moth Mecoptera (Scorpionflies) Panorpidae Panorpa sp. Scorpionfly Diptera (Flies) Calliphoridae Blow Fly Culicidae Aedes sp. Mosquito Muscidae House Fly Oestridae Cuterebra emasculator Rodent Bot Fly Syrphidae Hover Fly Tipulidae Pedicia sp. Crane Fly Hymenoptera (Bees & Wasps) Apidae Bombus impatiens Eastern Bumble Bee Apis mellifera Honey Bee Formicidae Ant Halictidae Agapostemon Metallic Green Bee Pelecinidae Pelecinus polyturator Pelecinid Wasp Pompilidae Spider Wasp Tenthredinidae Sawfly (larva on Sugar Maple) Vespidae Vespula vulgaris Common Yellowjacket Vespula consobrina Blackjacket Eumenes sp. Potter wasp (nest)

25 Amazing Amphibians

Both salamanders with lungs (Blue-spotted Salamander, Red-spotted Newt) and lungless salamanders (Northern Two-lined Salamander) were observed. Lunglessness is thought to have evolved as an adaptation for life in flowing water. The larvae are small, and lungs would tend to act as air sacs, increasing their buoyancy. They would thus be easier to dislodge from the substrate which would decrease their likelihood of survival. In well-aerated streams, respiration can take place readily through the skin, and so there would be little selection pressure to retain lungs.

Red Eft, the terrestrial stage of the Red-spotted Newt (© K. Thompson), Spring Peeper (top, © D. Dunning), and the black-masked Wood Frog (© M. Garbutt)

Eleven species of frogs and toads occur in the region. Based on sight records or their calls, roughly half of these were found on the property. The nine amphibian species recorded during the bioblitz are listed below.

26 Ambystoma laterale Blue-spotted Salamander Eurycea bislineata Northern Two-lined Salamander Notophthalmus viridescens Red-spotted Newt Bufo americanus American Toad Hyla versicolor Gray Treefrog Pseudacris crucifer Spring Peeper Rana clamitans Green Frog Rana pipiens Northern Leopard Frog Rana sylvatica Wood Frog

Writhing Reptiles

The Bell property is crossed by a semi-permanent stream and the majority of the swamp areas do not retain surface water during the summer. Under these conditions and in the absence of a large, permanent water body, turtles would be rare and none was found during the bioblitz. The two reptiles found were snakes of upland habitats.

Opheodrys vernalis Smooth Greensnake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Eastern Gartersnake

27 Fabulous Fish

Despite the majority of the area being upland Sugar Maple forest, one fish species was found in the stream on the property—the Bluntnose Minnow (Pimephales notatus). Just over five centimeters long, this minnow occurs commonly throughout central North America in ponds, lakes, streams, and creeks. The male tends the eggs and maintains a continuous flow of water over the nest which is essential to their survival.

Birds of a Feather

Bird occupation of the Bell property at this time of year was reduced to a few stragglers which had yet to migrate. Most species recorded were based on single birds. The owls, woodpeckers, chickadees, Blue Jays, ravens and crows are all species that would remain during the winter, and it was too early for the winter finches to move in. Real surprises for the bioblitz in the fall were the Scarlet Tanager, three warbler species, vireos and flycatchers.

A valiant effort was made to locate this chickadee which seems to have the ear of the man on the right rather than the man on the left (© J. King)

The total number of bird species on the list (30) indicates there is a healthy bird population in the area.

Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk Scolopax minor American Woodcock Bubo virginianus Great Horned Owl Strix varia Barred Owl Sphyrapicus varius Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Picoides pubescens Downy Woodpecker Picoides villosus Hairy Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Pileated Woodpecker Contopus virens Eastern Wood-pewee Cyanocitta cristata Blue Jay Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow Corvus corax Common Raven Poecile atricapillus Black-capped Chickadee Sitta canadensis Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis White-breasted Nuthatch Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula Ruby-crowned Kinglet Catharus fuscescens Veery Turdus migratorius American Robin Vireo solitarius Blue-headed Vireo Dendroica magnolia Magnolia Warbler Dendroica caerulescens Black-throated Blue Warbler 29 Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped Warbler Seiurus aurocapillus Ovenbird Piranga olivacea Scarlet Tanager Pheucticus ludovicianus Rose-breasted Grosbeak Melospiza melodia Song Sparrow Carpodacus purpureus Purple Finch Carduelis tristis American Goldfinch

Marvelous Mammals

The mammal list incorporates animals observed as well as those known to occur on the basis of tracks and droppings. In addition to casual observation, small mammals were also inventoried using traps. Two lines of 10 trap stations each were set up 10 m apart and inspected several times during the bioblitz. One was established in sugar maple woodland and the other in an open area on the woodland perimeter. At the end stations of each line, a multiple capture live trap was used. Longworth live traps were used at other stations and all were baited with peanut butter and sunflower seeds. Also, at each station, a track tunnel (2-litre juice carton, open at each end with a piece tracking paper (smeared with black stove polish and mineral oil mixture at one end) stapled to the carton floor), a perching board (15 cm on each side and 2 cm thick), and pit trap (2-litre plastic pot sunk so that its lip was flush with the ground) were located. Thus mammals at each station could be observed in the traps or be identified by tracks or droppings. The pots and perching boards yielded no results and were not worth the effort.

The man on the left enjoys forest detective Jim’s yarn about interpreting mammal signs as the man on the right prepares to feed the awaiting White-footed Mouse (© P. Donaldson) 30 Our trapping results indicate that small mammals are at a relatively high density in the woodland. The tunnels, far less expensive and complicated than live-trapping, showed the same use of habitat as the live traps. The mice caught were about a month old and three of the nine trapped were infected with the maggot of the Rodent Bot Fly, Cuterebra emasculator, a common parasite in our area. The White-footed Mouse is typical of hardwood forests, while the Deer Mouse is more common in the boreal forest. During the bioblitz, 19 mammal species were recorded (* indicates species observed in live traps).

Sorex cinereus Masked Shrew Blarina brevicauda *Northern Short-tailed Shrew Lepus americanus Snowshoe Hare Tamias striatus *Eastern Chipmunk Marmota monax Woodchuck Sciurus carolinensis Grey Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus *Red Squirrel Glaucomys sp. Flying Squirrel Peromyscus maniculatus *Deer Mouse Peromyscus leucopus *White-footed Mouse Microtus pennsylvanicus *Meadow Vole Erethizon dorsatum Porcupine Canis latrans Coyote Vulpes vulpes Red Fox Ursus americanus Black Bear Procyon lotor Raccoon Mustela frenata Long-tailed Weasel Lutra canadensis Striped Skunk Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed Deer

Reference

White, D.J. 2009. Vascular Plants of Lanark County, Ontario. www.lanarkflora.com.

Prepared for MVFN by Cathy Keddy and Tineke Kuiper, with input from participating geological and biological experts.

February 2010

Appendix I — 2009 MVFN Bioblitz Schedule

Saturday, September 19 Time Event 2:00 -3:00 pm Bioblitz Base opens, Registration begins 3:00 – 3:15 Bioblitz opening ceremony 3:15 – 4:00 Bell property ecological orientation- west side (Ted Mosquin) 4:15 – 5:00 Bell property ecological orientation- east side (Ted Mosquin) 5:00 – 6:00 Fungus collection for spore Spotting geological Inspect small mammal prints (Freeman Boyd & features (Allan traps (Tanya Pulfer & Joel Suzanne Rebetez) Donaldson) Byrne) 6:00 – 7:30 Inventory on your own 7:30 – 8:30 Calling seasonal creatures of the night (Joel Byrne) 9:00 Registration ends and Bioblitz Base closes

Sunday, September 20 Time Event 6:30 Bioblitz Base opens, Registration begins 7:00 – 7:55 Bird watching (Cliff Bennett) 8:00 – 8:55 Catch anything? check small Bird watching (Jeff Mills, Mike Runtz) mammal & pit traps (Jim Bendell & Tanya Pulfer) 9:00 – 9:55 Memorable mosses Reptiles & amphibians: are (Jennifer Doubt) you here? (Oliver Reichl) Woodland 10:00 – 10:55 Fantastic fungi (Freeman Boyd, Plants with wet feet (Mike discovery for Suzanne Rebetez) Runtz, Eleanor Thomson) children 11:00 - 11:55 Plants liking it drier (David Insects at large Part I (Martha White, Cathy Keddy) (Henri Goulet) Webber) 12:00 – 12:55pm Insects at large Part II Fungi frenzy (Henri Goulet, Chris Schmidt) (Freeman Boyd, Suzanne Rebetez) 1:00 – 1:55 Invertebrates without 6 legs Flying pictures: butterflies and dragonflies (Fred Schueler & Aleta Karstad) (Dave & Ken Allison, Gloria Opzoomer) 2:00 Registration closes 2:00 – 2:55 Mammals and anything Lanark rocks! (Allan Donaldson) missed: a walk on the wild side with detective Jim (Bendell) 3:00 Last call for tally sheets 3:00 – 4:00 Prepare Bioblitz data summary (Tineke Kuiper & Rob Lockwood) 4:00 Bioblitz closing ceremony – results, Post Bioblitz BBQ

32 33