Mammals of the Thousand Islands Region, New York

Abstract

In the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River as it flows from Lake Ontario along the New York State and Ontario border there is an archipelago of about 1700 islands. These islands range in size from a few tenths of an acre to several thousand acres, and are situated at varying distances from each other across the river, which in places is nearly seven miles wide. Since this area was inundated by sea water after the last glacier, the islands are considered to be no more than 10,000 years old. At the suggestion of Dr. W. J. Hamilton, Jr., a study of the mammals of this region was conducted from December, 1952, to June, 1954. The purpose of the investigation was to extend the knowledge of the distribution of the mammals of this area, and to investigate the effects of the isolation and limited area of the islands upon the mammalian populations. Data secured from a study of the fauna on islands in this region might show how the size of populations, species composition, reproductive patterns and other population characteristics are related to the size and isolation of islands. By study of the distribution and habits of different species on islands of varying areas and distances from the mainland, the factors most probably limiting their distribution may be discovered. Dr. Wm. J. Hamilton, Jr., of Cornell University advised me throughout the study. I am also indebted to Dr. J. N. Layne, Dr. J. Clovis, and Dr. C. R. Robins for identification of materials. A search of the literature failed to reveal any specific study of mammals in this area. Several studies on other islands of a similar nature are to be found. River island studies include one by Pruitt (1951), who studied Sugar Island in St. Marys River, Michigan. …