In Ontario, species of flora and fauna may be protected by regulation under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act or by regulation under the new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. This appendix is comprised of two parts.

The first part (K-1) lists those species of flora and fauna that are protected by regulation under the Endangered Species Act. This Regulation was last revised in 1994. For those with Internet access, Regulations of Ontario can be searched by subject heading at the following location – http://209.195.107.57/en/index.html [inactive link]

Copies of this or any other piece of Ontario legislation or regulation can be purchased by calling 1-800-668-9938 or by writing: Publications Ontario, 50 Grosvenor Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1N8.

The second part of this appendix (K-2) lists those Ontario species of flora and fauna that have been designated as endangered, threatened, vulnerable, indeterminate or extirpated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and/or the national Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Designations made by OMNR as of January 1995 are based on recommendations of a Ministry technical committee called the Committee of the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO). The work of COSSARO is integrated with the work of COSEWIC. Designations assigned by OMNR/COSSARO apply at the provincial level, while those of COSEWIC apply at the national level. There may be some differences between provincial and national designations.

It should be noted that COSEWIC designation is revised annually. COSEWIC designations in this appendix were last revised September 1999 (see COSEWIC).

OMNR/COSSARO designations are revised on an “as needed” basis. Designations in this appendix were last revised September 1998.

Up-to-date COSEWIC and OMNR/COSSARO lists are also available for review at local OMNR offices and also include species of fish as well as those species of flora and fauna that are designated as extinct.

OMNR/COSSARO status definitions

Extinct
Any species formally native to Ontario that no longer exists.
Extirpated
Any native species no longer existing in the wild in Ontario, but existing elsewhere in the wild.
Endangered
Any native species that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, is at risk of extinction or extirpation throughout all or a significant portion of its Ontario range if the limiting factors are not reversed.
Threatened
Any native species that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, is at risk of becoming endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its Ontario range is limiting factors are not reversed.
Vulnerable
Any native species that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, is a species of special concern in Ontario, but is not a threatened or endangered species.
Indeterminate
Any species for which there is insufficient scientific information on which to base a status recommendation.

COSEWIC status definitions

Extinct
A species that no longer exists.
Extirpated
A species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere.
Endangered
A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction.
Threatened
A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed.
Vulnerable
A species of special concern because characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events.
Indeterminate
A species for which there is insufficient information to support a status designation.
Not at risk
A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk.

R-1: Endangered Species Declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Art, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15

Vascular plants

Endangered vascular plants
Common name Scientific name
Small White Lady’s-Slipper Orchid footnote 1 Cypripedium candidum
Small Whorled Pogonia footnote 2 Isotria medeoloides
Large Whorled Pogonia footnote 3 Iostria verticillata
Cucumber Tree footnote 4 footnote 5 Magnolia acuminata
Wood Poppy footnote 6 Stylophorum diphyllum
Prickly Pear Cactus footnote 7 footnote 8 Opuntia humifusa
Hoary Mountian-mint footnote 9 Pycnanthemum incanum
Heart-leaved Plantain footnote 10 Plantago cordata

Amphibians

Endangered amphibians
Common name Scientific name
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog footnote 11 Acris crepitans blanchardi

Reptiles footnote 12

Endangered reptiles
Common name Scientific name
Lake Erie Water Snake footnote 13 Nerodia sipedon insularum
Blue Racer footnote 14 Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus

Birds

Endangered birds
Common name Scientific name
White Pelican footnote 15 Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Bald Eagle footnote 16 Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus
Golden Eagle footnote 17 Aquila chrysaetos
Peregrine Falcon footnote 18 Falco peregrinus
Piping Plover footnote 19 Charadrius melodus
Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis
Loggerhead Shrike footnote 20 Lanius ludovicianus
Kirtland’s Warbler footnote 21 Dendroica kirtlandii
Henslow’s Sparrow footnote 22 Ammodramus henslowii

Mammals

Endangered mammals
Common name Scientific name
Mountain Lion (Eastern Cougar) footnote 23 Felis concolor couguar

Insects

Endangered insects
Common name Scientific name
Frosted Elfin footnote 24 Incisalia irus
KarnerBlueButterfly footnote 25 Lycaeidesmelissasamuelis

R-2: Endangered, Threatened, Vulnerable Species of Flora and Fauna in Ontario

Endangered (but not in Regulation under Endangered Species Act)

Vascular plants

Endangered vascular plants
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Engelmann's Quillwort Isoetes engelmannii COSEWIC 1992
Juniper Sedge Carex juniperorum COSEWIC 1999
Drooping Trillium Trillium flexipes COSEWIC 1996
Small White Lady's-slipper Orchidfootnote a Cypripedium candidum COSEWIC 1999
Purple Twaybladefootnote b Liparis lilifolia COSEWIC 1999
Nodding Pogoniafootnote c Triphora trianthophora COSEWIC 1999
American Ginsengfootnote d Panax quinquefolium COSEWIC 1999
Pitcher's Thistlefootnote e Cirsium pitcheri COSEWIC 1999
Showy Goldenrod Solidago speciosa COSEWIC 1999
White Prairie Gentian Gentiana alba COSEWIC 1991
Slender Bush Clover Lespedeza virginica COSEWIC 1986; reconfirmed status in 1999
Scarlet Ammania Ammania robusta COSEWIC 1999
Toothcup Rotala ramosior COSEWIC 1999
Cucumber Treefootnote f Magnolia acuminata COSEWIC 1999
Red Mulberryfootnote g Morus rubra COSEWIC 1999
Pink Milkwort Polygala incarnata COSEWIC 1984; reconfirmed status in 1998
Spotted Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata COSEWIC 1987; reconfirmed status in 1998
Gattinger's Agalinis Agalinis gattingeri COSEWIC 1988; reconfirmed status in 1999
Skinner's Agalinis Agalinis skinneriana COSEWIC 1988; reconfirmed status in 1999
Bluehearts Buchnera americana COSEWIC 1998

Birdsfootnote h

Endangered birds
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated  
Acadian Flycatcher Empidonax virescens COSEWIC 1994
King Railfootnote i Rallus elegans COSEWIC 1994
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus COSEWIC 1994
Barn Owl (eastern population) footnote j Tyto alba COSEWIC 1999
Kirtland's Warblerfootnote k Dendroica kirtlandii COSEWIC 1999
Prothonatary Warblerfootnote l Prothonataria citrea COSEWIC 1996

Threatened

Vascular plants

Threatened vascular plants
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Blunt-lobed Woodsia Woodsia obtusa COSEWIC 1994
False Hop Sedge Carex lupuliformis COSEWIC 1997
Small-flowered Lipocarpha Lipocarpha (Hemicarpha) micrantha COSEWIC 1992
Small-flowered Lipocarpha Lipocarpha (Hemicarpha) micrantha COSSARO 1996
Colicroot Aletris farinosa COSEWIC 1988
Colicroot Aletris farinosa COSSARO 1996
Purple Twaybladefootnote m Liparis liliifolia COSSARO 1996
American Chestnut Aletris farinosa COSEWIC 1987
Golden Seal Hydrastis canadensis COSEWIC 1991
Golden Seal Hydrastis canadensis COSSARO 1995
Kentucky Coffee-tree Gymnocladus dioicus COSEWIC 1983
Kentucky Coffee-tree Gymnocladus dioicus COSSARO 1996
Goat's-Rue Tephrosia virginiana COSEWIC 1996
Bird's Foot Violet Viola pedata COSEWIC 1990
Deerberry Vaccinium stamineum COSEWIC 1994
White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus COSEWIC 1995
Amphibians Fowler's Toadfootnote n footnote o Bufo fowleri COSEWIC 1999

Reptiles

Threatened reptiles
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Eastern Spiny Softshellfootnote p footnote q Apalone spinifera spinifera COSEWIC 1991
Eastern Spiny Softshell footnote p footnote q Apalone spinifera spinifera COSSARO 1995
Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta COSEWIC 1998
Eastern Fox Snake Elaphe vulpina gloydi COSEWIC 1999
Queen Snake Regina septemvittata COSEWIC 1999
Eastern Massasaugafootnote r footnote s Sistrurus catenatus catenatus COSEWIC 1991
Eastern Massasauga footnote r footnote s Sistrurus catenatus catenatus COSSARO 1995

Birds

Threatened birds
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Peregrine Falconfootnote t Falco peregrinus anatum COSEWIC 1999
Barn Owl (eastern population)footnote u Tyto alba OMNR 1984
Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina COSEWIC 1994

Vulnerable

Vascular plants

Vulnerable vascular plants
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Broad Beech Fern Phegopteris hexagonoptera COSEWIC 1983
Hill's Pondweed Potamogeton hillii COSEWIC 1986
Few-flowered Club-rush Scirpus verecundus COSEWIC 1986
Green Dragon Arisaema dracontium COSEWIC 1984
Wild Hyacinth Camassia scilloides COSEWIC 1990
Round-leaved Greenbrierfootnote v Smilax rotundifloia COSSARO 1995
Eastern Prairie White Fringed Orchid Platanthera leucophaea COSEWIC 1986
Shumard Oak Quercus shumardii COSEWIC 1984; reconfirmed status in 1999
Dwarf Hackberry Celtis tenuiflolia COSEWIC 1985
False Rue-anemone Isopyrum biternatum COSEWIC 1990
Climbing Prairie Rose Rosa setigera COSEWIC 1986
Hop Tree Ptelea trifoliata COSEWIC 1984
Swamp Rose Mallow Hibiscus moscheutos COSEWIC 1987
Branched Bartonia Bartonia paniculata COSEWIC 1992
American Columbo Frasera caroliniensis COSEWIC 1993
Blue Ashfootnote w Fraxinus quadrangulata COSSARO 1996
American Water-willowfootnote x Justicia americana COSSARO 1996
Indian Plantain Cacalia plantaginea COSEWIC 1988; reconfirmed status in 1999
Willow Aster Aster praealtus COSEWIC 1999
Crooked-stemmed Aster Aster prenanthoides COSEWIC 1999
Western Silver-leaf Aster Virgulus (Aster) sericeus COSEWIC 1988
Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata COSEWIC 1988

Amphibians

Vulnerable amphibians
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Smallmouth Salamander Ambystoma texanum COSEWIC 1991

Reptiles

Vulnerable reptiles
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Spotted Turtlefootnote y Clemmys guttata COSEWIC 1991
Spotted Turtle footnote y Clemmys guttata COSSARO 1995
Wood Turtlefootnote z footnote aa Clemmys insculpta OMNR 1985
Wood Turtle footnote z footnote aa Clemmys insculpta COSEWIC 1996
Five-lined Skinkfootnote bb Eumeces fasciatus COSEWIC 1998
Eastern Hognose Snakefootnote cc Heterodon platirhinos COSSARO 1996
Eastern Hognose Snake footnote cc Heterodon platirhinos COSEWIC 1997
Butler's Garter Snake Thamnophis butleri COSEWIC 1999

Birds

Vulnerable birds
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis COSEWIC 1988; reconfirmed status in 1999
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus COSEWIC 1983; reconfirmed status in 1996
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus COSSARO 1995
Yellow Rail Coturnicops noveboracensis COSEWIC 1999
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia COSEWIC 1978
Black Ternfootnote dd Chlidonias niger COSSARO 1996
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus COSEWIC 1994
Great Gray Owlfootnote ee Strix nebulosa COSSARO 1996
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus COSSARO 1996
Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus COSEWIC 1996
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor COSEWIC 1985
Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor COSSARO 1996
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea COSEWIC 1993
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea COSSARO 1996
Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla COSEWIC 1991; reconfirmed status in 1996
Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla COSSARO 1995
Yellow-breasted Chat (Eastern) Icteria virens COSEWIC 1994
Yellow-breasted Chat (Eastern) Icteria virens COSSARO 1996

Mammals

Vulnerable mammals
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus COSEWIC 1980; reconfirmed status in 1998
Southern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys volans COSEWIC 1988
Woodland Vole Microtus pinetorum COSEWIC 1998
Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus COSEWIC 1979
Polar Bear Ursus maritimus COSEWIC 1991; reconfirmed status in 1999
Wolverine Gulo gulo COSEWIC 1989
Woodland Cariboufootnote ff Rangifer tarandus caribou COSEWIC 1984
Insects West Virginia Whitefootnote gg Artogeia (Pieris) virginiensis OMNR 1990

Indeterminate

Mammals

Indeterminate mammals
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Gray Wolf (eastern population) Canis lupus COSEWIC 1999
Mountain Lion (Eastern Cougar) Felis concolor couguar COSEWIC 1998

Extirpated

Vascular plants

Extirpated vascular plants
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Illinois Tick-trefoil Desmondium illinoense COSEWIC 1991
Blue-eyed Mary Collinsia verna COSEWIC 1987

Birds

Extirpated birds
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Greater Prairie Chicken Tympanuchus cupido COSEWIC 1990

Insects

Insects
Common name Scientific name Designating authority Year designated
Frosted Elfin Butterflyfootnote hh Incisalia irus COSEWIC 1999
Karner Blue Butterflyfootnote ii Lycaeides melissa samuelis COSEWIC 1997

Footnotes

  • footnote[1] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1999; declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1978.
  • footnote[2] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1982; designation reconfirmed in 1998.
  • footnote[3] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1986; designation reconfirmed 1998.
  • footnote[4] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1984.
  • footnote[5] Back to paragraph The regulation protects Cucumber Tree in specified locations only.
  • footnote[6] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1993.
  • footnote[7] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1985; designation reconfirmed in 1998.
  • footnote[8] Back to paragraph The Regulation protects Prickly Pear Cactus in specified locations only.
  • footnote[9] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1986; designation reconfirmed in 1998.
  • footnote[10] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1985; designation reconfirmed in 1998.
  • footnote[11] Back to paragraph Blanchard's Cricket Frog is also protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1990.
  • footnote[12] Back to paragraph The three snakes on this list are also protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[13] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1991.
  • footnote[14] Back to paragraph Desingated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1991.
  • footnote[15] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1978; delisted in 1987.
  • footnote[16] Back to paragraph COSEWIC reviewed the national status of the Bald Eagle in 1984 and did not assign a status designation.
  • footnote[17] Back to paragraph Designated as "not at risk" nationally by COSEWIC in 1996.
  • footnote[18] Back to paragraph Subspecies Falco peregrinus anatum designated as nationally endangered in 1978; downlisted to nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1999; COSEWIC downlisted F. p. tundrius from nationally threatened to nationally vulnerable in 1992; all subspecies of F. peregrinus covered in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1973.
  • footnote[19] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1985.
  • footnote[20] Back to paragraph Eastern population of Loggerhead Shrike designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1991, western population designated as nationally threatened in 1991. In Canada, the eastern population is restricted to Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
  • footnote[21] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1979; status reconfirmed by COSEWIC in 1999.
  • footnote[22] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1993.
  • footnote[23] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1978; designated as nationally indeterminate by COSEWIC in 1998.
  • footnote[24] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally extirpated by COSEWIC in 1999; declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1990.
  • footnote[25] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally extirpated by COSEWIC in 1997
  • footnote[a] Back to paragraph Declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1978
  • footnote[b] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally threatened in 1989 by COSEWIC and provincially threatened by COSSARO; uplisted to nationally endangered in 1999
  • footnote[c] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1988; uplisted to nationally endangered in 1999
  • footnote[d] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1988; uplisted to endangered in 1999
  • footnote[e] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally threatened in 1988; uplisted to endangered in 1999
  • footnote[f] Back to paragraph Declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1987
  • footnote[g] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1987; uplisted to endangered in 1999
  • footnote[h] Back to paragraph Recorded present in Ontario with breeding occurrences primarily in the southwestern portion of the province (Cadman, M. D., P. F. J. Eagles and F. M. Helleiner. 1988. Atlas of the breeding birds of Ontario. Federation of Ontario Naturalists and the Long Point Bird Observatory. University of Waterloo Press).
  • footnote[i] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally vulnerable by COSEWIC in 1985; uplisted to nationally endangered in 1994.
  • footnote[j] Back to paragraph Designated as provincially threatened by OMNR in 1984; designated nationally vulnerable by COSEWIC in 1984; uplisted to nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1999.
  • footnote[k] Back to paragraph Declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1978.
  • footnote[l] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally vulnerable by COSEWIC in 1984; uplisted to nationally endangered in 1996.
  • footnote[m] Back to paragraph Designated as provincially threatened by COSSARO in 1996; designated nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1989; uplisted to nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1999.
  • footnote[n] Back to paragraph Designated nationally vulnerable by COSEWIC in 1986; uplisted to nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1999.
  • footnote[o] Back to paragraph Fowler's toad is protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[p] Back to paragraph Eastern Spiny Softshell is protected in Regulation under the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[q] Back to paragraph COSSARO reconfirmed the OMNR status of provincially threatened.
  • footnote[r] Back to paragraph The Eastern Massasauga is protected in Regulation under the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
  • footnote[s] Back to paragraph COSSARO reconfirmed the OMNR status of provincially threatened.
  • footnote[t] Back to paragraph Subspecies Falco peregrinus anatum designated as nationally endangered in 1978; downlisted to nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1999; COSEWIC downlisted F. p. tundrius from nationally threatened to nationally vulnerable in 1992; all subspecies of F. peregrinus covered in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1973.
  • footnote[u] Back to paragraph Eastern population of Barn Owl was designated as provincially threatened by OMNR in 1984; designated nationally vulnerable by COSEWIC in 1984; uplisted to nationally endangered by COSEWIC in 1999.
  • footnote[v] Back to paragraph Ontario populations designated as nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1994. COSSARO reviewed the scientific evidence against its Criteria in January 1995 and October 1995 and determined that a status of provincially vulnerable is warranted.
  • footnote[w] Back to paragraph Designated nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1983. COSSARO reviewed the scientific evidence against its Criteria in July 1996 and determined that a status of provincially vulnerable is warranted.
  • footnote[x] Back to paragraph Designated nationally threatened by COSEWIC in 1984. COSSARO reviewed the scientific evidence against its Criteria in July 1996 and determined that a status of provincially vulnerable is warranted.
  • footnote[y] Back to paragraph Spotted Turtle is protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[z] Back to paragraph Wood Turtle is protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[aa] Back to paragraph COSSARO was formed pursuant to the designation of the Wood Turtle by OMNR in 1985.
  • footnote[bb] Back to paragraph Five-lined Skink is protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[cc] Back to paragraph Eastern Hognose Snake is protected in Regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
  • footnote[dd] Back to paragraph Designated as "not at risk" nationally by COSEWIC in 1996. This reconfirmed the committee's 1978 designation of "not in any category". COSSARO has reviewed the data for Ontario and considers that a designation of provincially vulnerable is warranted.
  • footnote[ee] Back to paragraph Designated as nationally rare (vulnerable) by COSEWIC in 1979, and delisted in 1996. The Great Gray Owl is retained on OMNR's list of provincially vulnerable species pending further consideration by COSSARO.
  • footnote[ff] Back to paragraph "Western population" of Woodland Caribou designated as nationally vulnerable by COSEWIC in 1984. Ontario population is considered part of this population.
  • footnote[gg] Back to paragraph In 1990 OMNR removed the Western Virginia White from Regulations under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15. A status of provincially vulnerable is assigned pending further review.
  • footnote[hh] Back to paragraph Declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1990.
  • footnote[ii] Back to paragraph Declared in Regulation under the Endangered Species Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 15 in 1990