Megan Edgar, former M.Sc. Student
Previous Education:
Bachelor of Science, Environmental and Conservation Science, University of Alberta.
Post-Graduating Position:
Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Service.
Thesis Title:
Assessing the food-web impacts of Chinese mystery snail and Northern crayfish in Southern Alberta Reservoirs using stable isotopes (link to thesis).
Research Description:
My interests are grounded in large-scale impacts on wide-ranging species and how to best manage the landscape to maximize wildlife and fisheries conservation efforts. My current research focuses on determining the effects that a relatively new introduced species, the Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis), will have on native aquatic species in the waterbody that it has been introduced to (McGregor Lake Reservoir). Building off this, I am investigating the potential additive impacts multiple invasive species can have on aquatic ecosystems, specifically Northern crayfish (Faxonius virilis), with similar species composition (ex: Burbot, Northern Pike, Lake Whitefish). My research methods include using stable isotope analysis and gut content analysis in a dual-effort to visualize and understand what’s happening in the water.
Publications:
Nature Alberta – What the Shell? Chinese Mystery Snail in Alberta?
Edgar M.*, Hanington P., Lu R., Proctor H., Zurawell R., Kimmel N. and M.S. Poesch (2022) The First Documented Occurrence and Life History Characteristics of the Chinese Mystery Snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis, Mollusca: Viviparidae) in Alberta, Canada. BioInvasions Records 11(2): 449-460.