AquaTax Consulting Qualifications, Expertise and Clients

Dale Parker, Ph.D., proprietor of AquaTax Consulting, has been involved in aquatic research and environmental consulting for over 25 years. He was also involved in teaching the fourth year Aquatic Insects course at the Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan for over a decade. He has experience, through his research and consulting, in species level identifications of most aquatic macroinvertebrate and insect groups including; Hirudinea, Mollusca, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, some Coleoptera, and some Diptera including Chironomidae and Culicidae. Being familiar with the species diversity comprising a genus is a great asset to the accuracy of genus and family level identifications. A significant amount of Dale's research has been related to the ecology and life history requirements of aquatic insects and other macroinvertebrates, which often aids clients in the interpretation of their research results. A complete CV is available on request.

Sample processing is subcontracted to J. Halpin, B.Sc., who has over 15 years of experience processing samples for AquaTax Consulting and federal and provincial government research laboratories.

AquaTax Consulting has been contracted by mining companies, consulting firms, federal and provincial governments, and university researchers to provide taxonomic and environmental expertise for projects throughout central and western Canada including the Northwest Territories. Projects have included; effects monitoring for gold, diamond, and nickel mines, oil sands developments, pulp mills, hydroelectric developments, mosquito monitoring for West Nile virus vectors, paleolimnological/subfossil research and biodiversity surveys.

Recent Clients and Projects:

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. (G. McMaster, I. Phillips), April 2011 to present: Performed macroinvertebrate identifications (genus and species level) for samples taken from lakes and rivers throughout Saskatchewan as part of various monitoring programs and research projects.

Barr Engineering Co. Minneapolis MN (J. Lee), July to October 2011: Sample processing and generic macroinvertebrate identifications for samples taken from experimental ponds in Northern Alberta.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. (G. McMaster, I. Phillips), April 2009 to January 2011: Performed macroinvertebrate identifications (genus and species level) for samples taken from lakes and rivers throughout Saskatchewan as part of various monitoring programs and research projects.

Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. (L. Doig), October 2010: Identification of subfossil Chironomidae from core samples taken from a Northern Manitoba lake.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. (G. McMaster, I. Phillips), April 2008 to January 2009: Performed macroinvertebrate identifications (genus and species level) for samples taken from lakes and rivers throughout Saskatchewan as part of various monitoring programs and research projects.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. (G. McMaster), February 2006 through December 2007: Completed over 10 contracts involved in macroinvertebrate sample processing and macroinvertebrate identifications (genus and species level) from over 80 Saskatchewan rivers and lakes as part of various monitoring programs and research projects. Research has resulted in the following publication: Parker, D. and I. Phillips. 2007. Collection records of three aquatic bugs (Heteroptera); pygmy backswimmer (Pleidae), water scorpion (Nepidae) and marsh treader (Hydrometridae) for Saskatchewan, Canada. Blue Jay. 65:143-148.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. (G. McMaster), April to December 2006: Conducted a detailed biodiversity survey of aquatic macroinvertebrates inhabiting the Pipestone Creek watershed. Designed sampling protocols, conducted and supervised sampling along the Pipestone Creek. Processed samples, enumerated and identified macroinvertebrates to genus or species level. Analyzed data and prepared interim and final reports resulting in: Phillips, I.D., D. Parker, and G. McMaster. 2008 The aquatic invertebrate fauna of a northern prairie river: range extensions and water quality characteristics. Western North American Naturalist 68:173-85.

National Hydrology Research Centre, Saskatoon, SK, (N. Glozier), January to March 2006: Processed macroinvertebrate samples and identified specimens for pesticide impacts on wetland macroinvertebrates. Research resulted in the following publication. Parker, D.W. and N. Glozier. 2005. First record of the non-biting midge, Zavreliella marmorata (Wulp.) (Chironomidae: Diptera), from Saskatchewan. Blue Jay. 63:200-202.

National Hydrology Research Centre, Saskatoon, SK, (D. Lindeman), January to March 2006: Processed macroinvertebrate samples and identified specimens for stable isotope analysis.

University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. (H. Powell), January to March 2006: Identification and enumeration of macroinvertebrate samples from the Bow River, Oldman River and Red Deer River, Alberta.

National Hydrology Research Centre, Saskatoon, (D. Lindeman), January to March 2005: Identification of boreal wetland macroinvertebrates for stable isotope analysis.

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, (J. Salamon), February 2005: Upper Qu'Appelle River Rehabilitation Project: Identifications of macroinvertebrates from 21 samples collected in the Upper Qu'Appelle River system.

Population Health, Government of Saskatchewan, Regina, SK. (P. Curry), May to October 2003, 2004, 2005: Processed adult mosquito samples collected in New Jersey Light traps and CDC traps from across Saskatchewan as part of the adult mosquito monitoring for West Nile Virus. Prepared mosquito samples for viral analysis. Conducted preliminary data analysis and prepared final reports on the adult monitoring results.

Nature Saskatchewan, Regina, SK. May 2001 to February 2004: Conducted research on the biodiversity of the aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna inhabiting Nature Saskatchewan Sanctuaries. Contract included project design, sample collections, sample processing and preparation of reports for client and funding agency. Research has resulted in the following publications: Parker, D. 2007. A preliminary checklist of aquatic macroinvertebrates associated with Meadow Bank Lake in Van Brienen Land Nature Sanctuary. Blue Jay. 65:102-110. Parker, D.W. 2005. A preliminary survey of aquatic macroinvertebrates collected from Crooked Lake Fen Nature Sanctuary in southeastern Saskatchewan. Blue Jay. 63:98-107.

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, Regina SK, (K. Murphy and R. Hlasny), May 2001 to February 2003: Conducted an intensive species level biodiversity study of the macroinvertebrate fauna of Candle Lake, SK. Study included documenting aquatic insect emergence phenologies, and macroinvertebrate densities, and preparing supporting documents. Included project design, developing sampling protocol, collecting samples, processing samples, analysing data and preparing reports. The research has resulted in the following publication: Parker, D., R. Hlasny and J. Webb, 2008. Biodiversity and adult emergence periods of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) inhabiting Candle Lake, Saskatchewan. Blue Jay. 66:96-104.

Publications:

Parker, D, R. Hlasny and J. Webb, 2008. Biodiversity and adult emergence periods of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) inhabiting Candle Lake, Saskatchewan. Blue Jay. 66:96-104.

Phillips, I.D., D. Parker, and G. McMaster. 2008. The aquatic invertebrate fauna of a northern prairie river: range extensions and water quality characteristics. Western North American Naturalist 68:173-85.

Parker, D. and I. Phillips. 2007. Collection records of three aquatic bugs (Heteroptera); pygmy backswimmer (Pleidae), water scorpion (Nepidae) and marsh treader (Hydrometridae) for Saskatchewan, Canada. Blue Jay. 65:143-148.

Parker, D. 2007. A preliminary checklist of aquatic macroinvertebrates associated with Meadow Bank Lake in Van Brienen Land Nature Sanctuary. Blue Jay. 65:102-110.

Parker, D.W. and N. Glozier. 2005. First record of the non-biting midge, Zavreliella marmorata (Wulp.) (Chironomidae: Diptera), from Saskatchewan. Blue Jay. 63:200-202.

Parker, D.W. 2005. A preliminary survey of aquatic macroinvertebrates collected from Crooked Lake Fen Nature Sanctuary in southeastern Saskatchewan. Blue Jay. 63:98-107.

Webb,J.W., D.W. Parker, D.M. Lehmkuhl and W.P. McCafferty. 2004. Additions and emendations to the mayfly (Ephemeroptera) fauna of Saskatchewan, Canada. Entomol. News. 115:213-218.

Parker, D.W. and D.M. Lehmkuhl, 1999. Diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Saskatchewan. In. Thorpe, J., T.A. Steeves, and M. Gollop. Proceedings of the 5th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference. Saskatoon, SK. Feb. 19-22, 1998. Natural History Occasional Paper No.24.Provincial Museum of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. Pp. 306-311.

Dosdall, L. M. and D. Parker. 1998. First report of a symphoretic association between Nanocladius branchicolus Saether (Diptera: Chironomidae) and Agria moesta (Hagen)(Odonata:Coenagrionidae).American Midl. Nat. 139:181-185.

Wayland, M., S. Trudeau, T. Marchant, D. Parker and K.A. Hobson. 1998. The effect of pulp and paper mill effluent on an insectivorous bird, the tree swallow. Ecotoxicology 7:237-251.

Whiting, E. R., S. Mathieu, and D.W. Parker. 1994. Effects of drainage from a Molybdenum mine and mill on stream macroinvertebrate communities. J. Freshw. Ecology. 9:299-311.

Mason, P.G. and D.W. Parker. 1994. Additions and corrections to the list of non-biting midges in Saskatchewan. Blue Jay 54:200-203.

Mason, P.G., D.W. Parker, and P. Morrill. 1991. An amateur naturalist's guide to non-biting midges in Saskatchewan. Blue Jay 49:174-182.

Posters and Presentations:

Phillips, I. D., Parker, D. and Wissel, B. 2010. Life history and diet of Skwala parallela (Plectoptera: Perlodidae) and Zapada cinctipes (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) in a priaire headwater stream. Joint meeting of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanogrpahy and the North American Benthological Society, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, June 6-11, 2010.

Parker, D. and I. Phillips. 2009. Saskatchewan aquatic macroinvertebrate biodiversity surveys and database: Past, progress and plans. Presented at the Biological Survey of Canada Symposium, Joint meeting of The Entomological Societies of Canada and Manitoba, Winnipeg, 18-21 October, 2009.

Phillips, I.D., G. McMaster, & D. Parker. 2007. Biomonitoring in Saskatchewan: New approaches with benthic macroinvertebrates and stable isotopes. The 8th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Parker, D. W. 2003. Biodiversity of aquatic insects and macroinvertebrates from a boreal lake in Saskatchewan. Presented at the Entomological Society of Canada meetings. Kelowna, BC.

Parker, D.W. and J. Webb. 2003. Emergence phenologies of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) and caddisflies (Trichoptera) in a shallow bay at Candle Lake, SK. Presented at the Entomological Society of Canada meetings. Kelowna, BC.

Parker, D.W. 2003. The aquatic insects and macroinvertebrates inhabiting Nature Saskatchewan Sanctuaries. Presented at the 2003 meeting of the Entomological Society of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, May 9, 2003.

Parker, D. and D. Lehmkuhl. 1999. The Saskatchewan Aquatic Insect Web Page. Presented at the Entomological Society of Canada meetings. Saskatoon, SK. September 25-29, 1999.

Parker, D. and D. Lehmkuhl. 1998. Diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in Saskatchewan. Presented at the 5th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference. Saskatoon, SK. Feb. 19-22, 1998.

Wayland,M., K.A. Hobson, S. Trudeau, T. Marchant, and D. Parker. 1996. Tree swallows as bioindicators of riparian wildlife exposure to pulp and paper mill effluent. Presented at the 23rd Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Calgary, AB. Oct. 6-9, 1996.

Theses:

Parker, D.W. 1985. Biosystematics of Chironomidae inhabiting selected prairie ponds in Saskatchewan. M.Sc.Thesis, Dept. of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK: This research was primarily a taxonomic investigation of pond inhabiting Chironomidae. Emphasis was on associating life stages to develop larval and pupal species level identification keys. Biological and life history information was also collected. The research recorded five new genera and seven new species for Saskatchewan.

Parker, D.W. 1992. Emergence phenologies and patterns of aquatic insects inhabiting a prairie pond. Ph.D. Thesis, Dept. of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. Building on the skill set developed in my MSc research this investigation encompassed the entire aquatic insect fauna. The study focused on the emergence phenologies and patterns of each insect group at the species level. Species level biodiversity was documented and hypotheses investigating spatial emergence over different vegetation types and the effects of temporal water levels were tested. Over 115 species of aquatic insects were recorded from the study pond including 12 new records for Saskatchewan. Emergence patterns and life histories were determined for many species for the first time in a Saskatchewan pond. It was found a number of species had a significant habitat preference for adult emergence. Changes in overwintering conditions and duration of the wet phase significantly altered the aquatic insect fauna in the pond.