Elucidating the Distribution of a Non-Native Katydid in Alberta Using Bioacoustics

Abstract

Accumulating evidence has shown that climate change is causing shifts in species distributions. Several Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids) species have been shifting their ranges in response to rising annual temperatures. Bioacoustics is a useful tool for monitoring this shift in populations distributions because Orthoptera produce audible vocalizations and can be captured by recording devices. Recently, Roeseliana roeselii, a species of Orthoptera native to Europe, was discovered near Edmonton, Alberta, outside of its naturalized range in eastern North America. This discovery presents a unique opportunity to elucidate the provincial distribution of R. roeselii by using bioacoustics software. In this project, I used automated audio recognition software to sort through province-wide field recordings from the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) to evaluate the feasibility of using bioacoustics for R. roeselii in Alberta and report any new records or observations. Using field and lab collected recordings of R. roeselii, an algorithm is created to sort through over 10,000 hours of audio. In all these recordings I was unable to detect R. roeselii calls in the ABMI recording data despite finding multiple populations through field sampling. This project lays the groundwork to better understand R. roeselii’s distribution in North America and comments on the possibility for using automated acoustics for other Orthoptera species in North America.

Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)

Faculty Mentor: Kevin Judge 

Department: Biological Sciences