Community Dynamics of Rodents, Fleas and Plague Associated with Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Community Dynamics of Rodents, Fleas and Plague Associated with Black-tailed Prairie Dogs PDF Author: Bala Thiagarajan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781109833171
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are epizootic hosts for plague (Yersinia pestis); however, alternate enzootic hosts are important for the maintenance of the pathogen. We determined small rodents and prairie dog associations and quantified rodent and flea relationships in the presence and absence of prairie dog colonies and plague. We identified potential alternate hosts and flea vectors for the maintenance and transmission of plague in the prairie ecosystem. This is the first multi-year study to investigate associations between prairie dogs, rodents and fleas across the range of the black-tailed prairie dog. Few rodent species associated with black-tailed prairie dogs and were found to be highly abundant on colonies. Rodent species implicated in plague were present at study areas with and without plague. Peromyscus maniculatus and Onychomus leucogaster, two widely occurring species, were more abundant in areas with a recent history of plague. Flea community characteristics varied within each study area in the presence and absence of prairie dogs. Based on flea diversity on rodents, and the role of rodents and fleas in plague, we identified P. maniculatus and O. leucogaster and their associated fleas, Aetheca wagneri, Malareus telchinus, Orchopeas leucopus, Peromyscopsylla hesperomys, and Pleochaetis exilis to be important for the dynamics of sylvatic plague in our study areas. Peromyscus maniculatus and O. leucogaster were consistently infected with Bartonella spp., another blood parasite. Presence of prairie dog fleas on other rodents at both off and on prairie dog colonies suggests the potential for intra and interspecific transmission of fleas between rodent hosts, and between other small rodents and prairie dogs.

Community Dynamics of Rodents, Fleas and Plague Associated with Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Community Dynamics of Rodents, Fleas and Plague Associated with Black-tailed Prairie Dogs PDF Author: Bala Thiagarajan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781109833171
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) are epizootic hosts for plague (Yersinia pestis); however, alternate enzootic hosts are important for the maintenance of the pathogen. We determined small rodents and prairie dog associations and quantified rodent and flea relationships in the presence and absence of prairie dog colonies and plague. We identified potential alternate hosts and flea vectors for the maintenance and transmission of plague in the prairie ecosystem. This is the first multi-year study to investigate associations between prairie dogs, rodents and fleas across the range of the black-tailed prairie dog. Few rodent species associated with black-tailed prairie dogs and were found to be highly abundant on colonies. Rodent species implicated in plague were present at study areas with and without plague. Peromyscus maniculatus and Onychomus leucogaster, two widely occurring species, were more abundant in areas with a recent history of plague. Flea community characteristics varied within each study area in the presence and absence of prairie dogs. Based on flea diversity on rodents, and the role of rodents and fleas in plague, we identified P. maniculatus and O. leucogaster and their associated fleas, Aetheca wagneri, Malareus telchinus, Orchopeas leucopus, Peromyscopsylla hesperomys, and Pleochaetis exilis to be important for the dynamics of sylvatic plague in our study areas. Peromyscus maniculatus and O. leucogaster were consistently infected with Bartonella spp., another blood parasite. Presence of prairie dog fleas on other rodents at both off and on prairie dog colonies suggests the potential for intra and interspecific transmission of fleas between rodent hosts, and between other small rodents and prairie dogs.

The Role of Short-lived Rodents and Their Fleas in Plague Ecology on Prairie Dog Colonies

The Role of Short-lived Rodents and Their Fleas in Plague Ecology on Prairie Dog Colonies PDF Author: Gebbiena M. Bron
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Multi-host and multi-vector diseases are complex. Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, affects many mammalian species and can be transmitted via several routes, but flea-borne transmission is the primary mode of transmission. Plague can decimate prairie dog (Cynomys spp.) colonies and other species that depend on them, including the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). After decades of research, plague dynamics on prairie dog colonies are still poorly understood. The purpose of this dissertation was to gain a holistic understanding of the complex dynamics of plague ecology in the western United States, by assessing the role of short-lived rodents and their fleas in plague maintenance and epizootics on prairie dog colonies. Our study was conducted in conjunction with a large-scale, blind, placebo-controlled, field efficacy trial on the newly developed, orally-delivered sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV) for prairie dogs from 2013 to 2015, led by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center. Using a combination of field and laboratory-based studies, we observed that consumption of the SPV did not protect deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and Northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster) from plague and deer mouse abundance and short-lived rodent community structure (richness and evenness) were not significantly different between placebo and vaccine treated prairie dog colonies. Surprisingly, we detected plague positive mouse fleas (Aetheca wagneri, Pleochaetis exilis, Orchopeas leucopus) on mice prior to plague-induced declines in black-tailed prairie dogs (C. ludovicianus) in Montana and white-tailed prairie dogs (C. leucurus) in Wyoming, but not during plague outbreaks. To determine the possible source of plague infection in the flea pools we used amplicon deep sequencing and we did not detect prairie dog DNA. In addition, rodent-flea interaction networks were highly specialized, geographically different and fleas rarely switched from short-lived rodents to prairie dogs and vice versa. Thus we showed that mice are involved in the plague cycle on prairie dog colonies, but their role remains uncertain and the direct connection between short-lived rodents and prairie dogs stays anecdotal. Overall, these studies demonstrate the complexity involved in plague ecology and highlight the importance of a holistic approach to studying multi-host and multi-vector diseases.

Flea Loads on Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Ludovicianus) During Plague Epizootics in Colorado

Flea Loads on Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Ludovicianus) During Plague Epizootics in Colorado PDF Author: Daniel W. Tripp
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Bacterial diseases in animals
Languages : en
Pages : 98

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Proceedings of the Symposium on the Management of Prairie Dog Complexes for the Reintroduction of the Black-footed Ferret

Proceedings of the Symposium on the Management of Prairie Dog Complexes for the Reintroduction of the Black-footed Ferret PDF Author: John L. Oldemeyer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Black-footed ferret
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Epizootiology of Plague, and Flea Exchange Between Black-tailed Prairie Dogs and Interacting Mammals

Epizootiology of Plague, and Flea Exchange Between Black-tailed Prairie Dogs and Interacting Mammals PDF Author: Mahmoud Karami
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Communicable diseases in animals
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Dissertation Abstracts International

Dissertation Abstracts International PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 906

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Spatial Dynamics of a Bacterial Pathogen

Spatial Dynamics of a Bacterial Pathogen PDF Author: Tammi Lynne Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy, Volume 7 - E-Book

Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy, Volume 7 - E-Book PDF Author: R. Eric Miller
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
ISBN: 1437719856
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 688

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Book Description
With coverage of current issues and emerging trends, Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Volume 7 provides a comprehensive, all-new reference for the management of zoo and wildlife diseases. A Current Therapy format emphasizes the latest advances in the field, including nutrition, diagnosis, and treatment protocols. Cutting-edge coverage includes topics such as the "One Medicine" concept, laparoscopic surgery in elephants and rhinoceros, amphibian viral diseases, and advanced water quality evaluation for zoos. Editors R. Eric Miller and Murray E. Fowler promote a philosophy of animal conservation, bridging the gap between captive and free-ranging wild animal medicine with chapters contributed by more than 100 international experts. The Current Therapy format focuses on emerging trends, treatment protocols, and diagnostic updates new to the field, providing timely information on the latest advances in zoo and wild animal medicine. Content ranges from drug treatment, nutrition, husbandry, surgery, and imaging to behavioral training. Coverage of species ranges from giraffes, elephants, lions, and orangutans to sea turtles, hellbenders, bats, kakapos, and more. An extensive list of contributors includes recognized authors from around the world, offering expert information with chapters focusing on the latest research and clinical management of captive and free-ranging wild animals. A philosophy of animal conservation helps zoo and wildlife veterinarians fulfill not only the technical aspects of veterinary medicine, but contribute to the overall biological teams needed to rescue many threatened and endangered species from extinction. All content is new, with coverage including coverage of cutting-edge issues such as white-nose disease in bats, updates on Ebola virus in wild great apes, and chytrid fungus in amphibians. Full-color photographs depict external clinical signs for more accurate clinical recognition. Discussions of the "One Medicine" concept include chapters addressing the interface between wildlife, livestock, human, and ecosystem health. New sections cover Edentates, Marsupials, Carnivores, Perrissodactyla, and Camelids. Over 100 new tables provide a quick reference to a wide range of topics. An emphasis on conserving threatened and endangered species globally involves 102 expert authors representing 12 different countries.

Citizen Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Black-tailed Prairie Dogs

Citizen Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Black-tailed Prairie Dogs PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Black-tailed prairie dog
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Plague in Colorado and Texas

Plague in Colorado and Texas PDF Author: United States. Public Health Service
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Plague
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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