Research publications on Canadian mammals, 1971–1986

Abstract

A survey was made of the 1124 research papers dealing with wild mammals living in Canada published in 11 relevant biological journals from 1971 to 1986. This study extends an earlier survey carried out by the author for the years 1931–1970. Canadian journals in general, and the Canadian Journal of Zoology in particular, published most of the research papers, which are far more numerous than they were in the earlier period. Research papers are increasingly written by two or more authors, and there seems to be a different pattern of publishing for women than for men. Most research was done by university personnel, who came from 35 Canadian (and a number of American) universities. Field studies in general were more numerous in the more densely populated provinces, although more studies were carried out in the Northwest Territories than in any other jurisdiction. The Canadian Federal Government financed most research projects, followed by Provincial and Territorial governments, and Canadian universities. However, well over 50 different groups or institutions funded at least a few studies each. The most studied subjects were behavior, anatomy and physiology, populations, and ecology and habitat. The most studied species were small mammals, large carnivores, seals that are hunted, and big game species. The mammals studied least were insectivores, bats, lagomorphs, and whales.