A New Species for Ontario

[MathieuO]

> Subject: Announcing A New Species for Ontario: Allegheny Mountain
> Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus )
>
>
> The genetic results are in and its now official! A new salamander
> species has been discovered in the Niagara Gorge. The Niagara Area
> Species at Risk team discovered the Allegheny Mountain Dusky this
> summer after climbing some precarious habitat near Queenston. Both
> the habitat and species appeared different to the Northern Dusky
> Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) (END Ont), currently found in the
> Whirlpool Area. This salamander was previously believed to only
> inhabit two Canadian localities in southern Québec. It is currently
> listed as Threatened by COSEWIC.
>
>
>
> Tail samples were collected and sent to Dr. David Green at McGill
> University for genetic analysis. Further genetic evidence also
> suggests that the Niagara population is more closely related to the
> Western New York populations than to those in Southern Quebec.
>
>
>
> You will be hearing more from the Niagara Area Team and the newly
> formed Ontario Dusky Salamander Recovery Team.
>
>
>
> I wish to especially acknowledge the efforts of Devin Mills and Rob
> Tervo for first climbing into this area, and bringing this observation
> to my attention. It was well worth the climb.
>
>
>
> Please forward this message to other interested staff.
>
>
>
> Anne Yagi
>
> Management Biologist
>
> Ministry of Natural Resources-Niagara Area Office

[Boakid]

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