Francis Quang-Hai Dinh’s initial summer at McGill University involved exploring Montreal’s parks on his bicycle in search of squirrels. He visited nearly 200 green spaces spanning from Mirabel to Saint-Bruno, meticulously observing and documenting over 800 grey and black squirrels. What began as a university task evolved into a personal project driven by his curiosity to understand how the city’s geography and water systems influence evolution.
Expressing his newfound admiration for squirrels, Dinh shared, “I fell in love with them after observing and contemplating their presence. Squirrels are often overlooked as mere pests, but they are indeed part of the wildlife ecosystem.” Given the challenges of limited public transport in suburban areas, Dinh solely relied on his bicycle to conduct thorough surveys of squirrels across the region, making him the sole researcher known for conducting manual park-by-park assessments.
Discoveries from Dinh’s study revealed that approximately 12 percent of Montreal’s squirrel population are black, with higher concentrations of black squirrels found in northern areas. For instance, regions just north of Laval showcased up to 40 percent black squirrels, while on the island of Laval, around 20 percent were black. Comparatively, the percentage dropped to two or three percent on the south shore of Montreal, highlighting geographical variations.
The study attributed the prevalence of black squirrels to temperature differences, with cooler climates in northern areas favoring black coloration due to better heat absorption capabilities. Additionally, the density of forest cover played a significant role, as denser tree canopies provided a darker backdrop where black squirrels could blend in more effectively.
Allison Roth, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, emphasized that the research focused on using squirrels as a model to examine how urban environments drive evolutionary changes. Montreal’s unique landscape, segmented by waterways like the St. Lawrence River, creates distinct environmental conditions that contribute to genetic and physical adaptations within the squirrel population.
While traditional studies compared urban and rural areas broadly, this study delved into neighborhood-specific wildlife changes. It challenged the notion that human development solely influences wildlife evolution, highlighting that urban sprawl alters local conditions such as temperature and tree coverage, while natural barriers like rivers impact animal populations.
The study’s findings, titled “Fine-scale spatial variation in eastern grey squirrel melanism across a complex urban landscape,” are available online. It underscores the indirect influence of urbanization on melanism through environmental factors like vegetation structure and winter microclimate. Published as part of a special feature by ecology journals, the research sheds light on collaborative efforts to address significant ecological questions.
Reflecting on his experience, Dinh remarked that his perspective on wildlife has shifted, noting the interconnectedness between urban spaces and nature. He emphasized the resilience of wildlife in adapting to human modifications, emphasizing the coexistence of wildlife amidst urban landscapes.
