Ian Oliphant is on a mission to discover what parasites are housed in the bodies of barred owls on Vancouver Island - and how this impacts local ecosystems.
His hands-on investigation offers a unique window into the intricate relationships between birds of prey and the often-unseen creatures that share their existence.
Ian says the research provides new insights into parasite dynamics in naturalized species like barred owls and the potential impact of these parasites on local ecosystems and biodiversity and potentially other raptor populations on the Island.
"This research is particularly important because we haven't done a study like this on barred owls. We don't know what the owls are bringing with them or how they may be amplifying parasite populations here," he says. "It helps with our understanding of environmental preservation and conservation."
The barred owl is native to the eastern part of North America. Over the past 80 years, the species ranged westward, alighting on Vancouver Island in the late 1960s and is now considered a naturalized species.
A Victoria wildlife rehabilitation centre donated 28 owls that had perished for the research project, which Ian dissected to examine their digestive tracts and count the parasites present.
There are many types of parasites, and they exist in almost every animal and plant group. Ian's study focused on helminths, which are a type of worm-like parasite.
"I discovered six different species of parasites in the barred owls. Two parasites were particularly abundant, with the most found totaling 602 in just one owl," he says. He adds that the parasites are generally not harmful. They have evolved to coexist with their hosts.
The Bachelor of Science degree program in biology allows students to complete a one-year research project while advancing their training in field and laboratory research skills. The project gives them a chance to interact with peers and scientists affiliated with various agencies, organizations or institutions, in addition to VIU professors.
Ian says being able to participate in an advanced research project is the capstone to your degree, and the instructors at VIU made it possible and fun.
"Many of my friends who have gone into biology at other, bigger universities do not get near the same hands-on experience that we get here," he said. "If you want to go into research, this is such a big opportunity. If you can find a professor that you can talk to and share interests with, they help make it possible to do a research project."
Ian presented his research findings at the 46th annual Pacific Evolution and Ecology Conference, a student-led event which provides an opportunity for early career scientists to present ideas and seek collaborations. He will also present his findings at the BIOL 491 Undergraduate Research Symposium at VIU.
Ian plans to pursue a master's degree in parasite ecology at the University of Calgary and hopes to contribute to environmental preservation and conservation through research.
"We know how important environmental science is, and ecology in general," he said. "It's the niche that I found that I enjoyed the most, and I can't think of anything else I'd want to do for a career."
