(2008) studied the phylogeography of Coluber constrictor using the mtDNA cytochrome b gene, and mapped Ontario racers as belonging to a central clade which has a much larger range than is traditionally attributed to subspecies foxii. foxii) (Campbell and Perrin 1991 Harding 1997 Mackinnon and Porchuk 2006). Today, many authors accept that the valid Racer subspecies found in Ontario is the Blue Racer ( C. flaviventris) is found in extreme southern Saskatchewan and is also listed by some authors as being present in southern Ontario (NatureServe 2012). ![]() mormon (Western Yellow–bellied Racer) occurs west of the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia. Depending on the source consulted two or three subspecies are recognized in Canada. There is still controversy surrounding the taxonomy and geographic distribution of several of these subspecies. Coluber constrictor is a polytypic species with 11 subspecies recognized (NatureServe 2012). Part 2- Eligibility for Ontario status assessment 2.1 Application of eligibility criteria Taxonomic distinctness Outside Ontario, extant populations of the Blue Racer are presently found in Ohio Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa (Harding 1997 COSEWIC 2002, 2012). Coluber constrictor foxii (Blue Racer), the subspecies that occurs in Ontario, was historically distributed from southeastern Minnesota and Iowa east to Ohio and north to extreme southwestern Ontario. NatureServe (2012) suggests the species is common (G5) in the United States. Distribution and status outside Ontario:Ĭoluber constrictor, the Racer, is widespread throughout North America from Maine to British Columbia and south to Florida and northern Guatemala (Campbell and Perrin 1991 Harding 1997). On Pelee Island, the species is restricted to the eastern two thirds of the island. ![]() The last reliable record of the Blue Racer in mainland Ontario was 1983 (Campbell & Perrin 1991). Although formerly present in Point Pelee National Park and Pinery Provincial Park in extreme southwestern Ontario, the Blue Racer is almost certainly extirpated from all mainland sites, despite these being protected areas. SRANK – S1 ( NHIC/NatureServe, accessed ) Distribution in Ontario:Ĭoluber constrictor foxii currently occurs only on Pelee Island (4091 ha) in Ontario. SARA – Endangered (Schedule 1) (Environment Canada, 2012)ĮSA 2007 – Endangered (Ministry of Natural Resources, 2007) NRANK Canada – N1 (Assessed ) (NatureServe, accessed ) GRANK – G5 The subspecies Coluber constrictor foxii occurring in Ontario is ranked G5T5 (NatureServe 2011) (Assessed ) (NatureServe, accessed ) Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario ( COSSARO) Assessed by COSSARO as Endangeredįinal Part 1- Current status and distribution Current designations:
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