Developing a Systematic Sampling Framework for Terrestrial Gastropods in the Canadian Arctic
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2016 Developing a Systematic Sampling Framework for Terrestrial Gastropods in the Canadian Arctic Sullivan, Joshua Sullivan, J. (2016). Developing a Systematic Sampling Framework for Terrestrial Gastropods in the Canadian Arctic (Unpublished master's thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/25619 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2943 master thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Developing a Systematic Sampling Framework for Terrestrial Gastropods in the Canadian Arctic by Joshua Sullivan A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCES CALGARY, ALBERTA APRIL, 2016 © Joshua Sullivan 2016 Abstract Two protostrongylid parasites of Arctic ungulates, Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis and Varestrongylus eleguneniensis, were recently discovered in muskoxen on Victoria Island, Nunavut. The subsequent range expansion and increasing prevalence of these lungworms on the island suggested that the temperature-dependent rate of larval development in the gastropod intermediate host was no longer constraining their range to the Arctic mainland. Thus, to determine if the ecology of the gastropod intermediate host would facilitate or restrict the further expansion and establishment of these parasites, a better understanding of the distribution, diversity and abundance of terrestrial gastropods on Victoria Island was needed. However, a description of the efficacy of gastropod sampling techniques on the tundra was lacking. Therefore, my research describes the first strategic sampling framework for assessing gastropod ecology in the Arctic. Additionally, I analyzed the influence of extrinsic factors on gastropod capture rates and described new geographical records for the intermediate host, Deroceras laeve. Keywords: Arctic, Gastropod, Deroceras laeve, Intermediate Host, Protostrongylidae ii Preface Chapter Two: As lead author, Joshua Sullivan conducted the research and wrote the manuscript. Statistical analysis was done through extensive consultation with Dr. Sylvia Checkley (Assistant Professor, Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary). Chapter Three: This is a manuscript submitted in January, 2016 for publication in the peer- reviewed scientific journal Canadian Field-Naturalist. Text, tables and references have been formatted to fit thesis guidelines. As lead author, Joshua Sullivan conducted the research, wrote the manuscript and incorporated comments and revisions suggested by co-authors. The citation for the article is: Sullivan, J. D., D. McLennan, S. Checkley, F. Chan, A. Massolo and S. Kutz. A comparison of techniques for sampling terrestrial gastropods in the Arctic. Article submitted to Canadian Field- Naturalist in January, 2016. iii Acknowledgements I would first like to thank my supervisor, Susan Kutz, for the wisdom and guidance she offered throughout the course of my project. She taught me the importance of maintaining strong relationships with research partners and stakeholders, how to effectively communicate science with the public and the importance of ingenuity when conducting research in remote locations across the Arctic. I would also like to thank my committee, Kathreen Ruckstuhl and Alessandro Massolo for providing additional insight and guidance especially when it came to analyzing the data. Additionally, I would like to thank Sylvia Checkley for her assistance with the statistical analyses throughout the thesis. Next, I would like to thank the members of the Kutz Lab for their motivation, insight and assistance with planning and developing the experimental design and conducting the analyses. Specifically, I would like to thank Matilde Tomaselli and Florence Chan for their huge contributions, of both time and labour, during the field surveys on Victoria Island. Additionally, I would like to thank Gui Verocai and Pratap Kafle for their willingness to help with my research planning and for sharing their expertise. Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for the endless motivation and support. And to my partner in crime, Kirsten, for believing in me and taking me bird-watching when things were hectic. iv Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................... ii Preface .......................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... v List of Tables ............................................................................................................... vii List of Figures............................................................................................................. viii List of Symbols, Abbreviations and Nomenclature .................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 1 1.1 Parasites and Climate Change .......................................................................... 1 1.2 Protostrongylids ................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Recent Emergence ............................................................................................. 5 1.4 Gastropod Intermediate Hosts .......................................................................... 7 1.5 Sampling Techniques....................................................................................... 10 1.6 Thesis Rationale and Overview ....................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO: PREDICTORS OF TERRESTRIAL GASTROPOD CAPTURE RATE IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC .............................................................. 15 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 15 2.2 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Pilot study ........................................................................................... 17 2.2.2 Study Sites .......................................................................................... 17 2.2.3 Sampling ............................................................................................ 19 2.2.4 Data Analysis ..................................................................................... 19 2.3 Results .............................................................................................................. 22 2.3.1 Unconditional Associations ................................................................ 27 2.3.2 Multivariable Associations ................................................................. 28 2.4 Discussion ......................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER THREE: A COMPARISON OF TECHNIQUES FOR SAMPLING TERRESTRIAL GASTROPODS IN THE ARCTIC ....................................... 35 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 35 3.2 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 37 3.2.1 Pilot Studies ........................................................................................ 37 3.2.2 Study Locations .................................................................................. 38 3.2.3 Gastropod Sampling Techniques ........................................................ 38 3.2.4 Study Design....................................................................................... 39 3.2.5 Statistical Analysis .............................................................................. 40 3.3 Results .............................................................................................................. 41 3.3.1 Experiment A – Baited Dampened Mat and Turf Flooding Technique41 3.3.2 Experiment B – Dampened Mat Technique and Pan Traps ............... 42 3.4 Discussion ......................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION ............................................................................. 50 4.1 Overview .......................................................................................................... 50 v 4.2 A Sampling Framework for Terrestrial Gastropods in the Arctic ................ 51 4.3 Notes on the Ecology of Deroceras laeve in the Canadian Arctic ................... 57 4.4 Deroceras laeve as an Intermediate Host on Victoria Island .......................... 59 4.5 Future Directions ............................................................................................