The Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera).

While many might consider the beaver or moose to be the most “Canadian” animal, a new study from Simon Fraser University and Wildlife Preservation Canada reveals other animals take the top spot in terms of evolutionary distinctness (ED)—a measure of how long a species has evolved independently within the country.

The study’s findings reveal that some species—especially amphibians and reptiles—are so evolutionarily distinct from other Canadian wildlife that they embody hundreds of millions of years of independent evolution. As the researchers note, these animals carry genetic legacies that have little in common with other species found in Canada.

• The study identified the following as the most evolutionary distinct animals by taxonomic group: Spiny Softshell Turtle (turtles)
• Mudpuppy (amphibians)
• Northern Alligator lizard (reptiles)
• Virginia Opossum (mammals)
• Belted Kingfisher (birds)
• Pond Slider (exotic species)

The study considered a broad range of Canada’s vertebrate species—222 mammals, 674 birds, 48 amphibians, and 49 reptiles—and compiled top 20 lists for each group based on their evolutionary distinctness. The more distant a species is in its family tree and the fewer close relatives it has, the higher its ED score.

“Conservation of species at risk is often done at the national level,” says SFU biological sciences professor and lead researcher Arne Mooers, “So, it made sense to consider our national evolutionary heritage in this way.”

Given the current pressures on biodiversity—including climate change, habitat destruction, and limited conservation resources—Mooers emphasizes that this new framework could help policymakers prioritize conservation efforts.

As for Canada’s beloved national icon, the beaver remains a player in the study’s results. Two beaver species, the American beaver and the mountain beaver made the Top 20 list.