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Jones JD, Proffitt KM, Ramsey JM, Almberg ES, Anderson NJ. Reproductive Fate of Brucellosis-Seropositive Elk (Cervus canadensis): Implications for Disease Transmission Risk. J Wildl Dis 2024; 60:52-63. [PMID: 37889938 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus that infects elk (Cervus canadensis) and cattle (Bos taurus). There is the potential for transmission from wildlife to livestock through contact with infected material shed during abortions or live births. To understand the impact of exposure on pregnancy rates we captured 30-100 elk per year from 2011 through 2020, testing their blood for serologic exposure to B. abortus. Predicted pregnancy rates for seropositive animals were 9.6% lower in prime-age (2.5-15.5 yr; 85%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 74-91%) and 37.7% lower in old (>15.5 yr; 43%, 95% CI: 19-71%) elk as compared with seronegative animals. To understand the risk of seropositive elk shedding B. abortus bacteria and the effects of exposure on elk reproductive performance, we conducted a 5-yr longitudinal study monitoring 30 seropositive elk. We estimated the annual probability of a seropositive elk having an abortion as 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02-0.15). We detected B. abortus at three abortions and two live births, using a combination of culture and PCR testing. The predicted probability of a pregnant seropositive elk shedding B. abortus during an abortion or live birth was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.04-0.19). To understand what proportion of seropositive elk harbored live B. abortus bacteria in their tissues, we euthanized seropositive elk at the end of 5 yr of monitoring and sampled tissues for B. abortus. Assuming perfect detection, the predicted probability of a seropositive elk having B. abortus in at least one tissue was 0.18 (95% CI: 0.06-0.43). The transmission risk seropositive elk pose is mitigated by decreased pregnancy rates, low probability of abortion events, low probability of shedding at live birth events, and reasonably low probability of B. abortus in tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Jones
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 1400 South 19th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59718, USA
| | - Kelly M Proffitt
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 1400 South 19th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59718, USA
| | - Jennifer M Ramsey
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 1400 South 19th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59718, USA
| | - Emily S Almberg
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 1400 South 19th Avenue, Bozeman, Montana 59718, USA
| | - Neil J Anderson
- Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, Montana 59901, USA
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2
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Ranglack DH, Proffitt KM, Canfield JE, Gude JA, Rotella J, Garrott RA. Modeling broad‐scale patterns of elk summer resource selection in Montana using regional and population‐specific models. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin H. Ranglack
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana USA
| | | | - Jodie E. Canfield
- Custer Gallatin National Forest, USDA Forest Service Bozeman Montana USA
| | | | - Jay Rotella
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana USA
| | - Robert A. Garrott
- Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management Program, Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman Montana USA
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3
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Paterson JT, Proffitt KM, DeCesare NJ, Gude JA, Hebblewhite M. Evaluating the summer landscapes of predation risk and forage quality for elk ( Cervus canadensis). Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9201. [PMID: 35979523 PMCID: PMC9366754 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The recovery of carnivore populations in North American has consequences for trophic interactions and population dynamics of prey. In addition to direct effects on prey populations through killing, predators can influence prey behavior by imposing the risk of predation. The mechanisms through which patterns of space use by predators are linked to behavioral response by prey and nonconsumptive effects on prey population dynamics are poorly understood. Our goal was to characterize population‐ and individual‐level patterns of resource selection by elk (Cervus canadensis) in response to risk of wolves (Canis lupus) and mountain lions (Puma concolor) and evaluate potential nonconsumptive effects of these behavioral patterns. We tested the hypothesis that individual elk risk‐avoidance behavior during summer would result in exposure to lower‐quality forage and reduced body fat and pregnancy rates. First, we evaluated individuals' second‐order and third‐order resource selection with a used‐available sampling design. At the population level, we found evidence for a positive relationship between second‐ and third‐order selection and forage, and an interaction between forage quality and mountain lion risk such that the relative probability of use at low mountain lion risk increased with forage quality but decreased at high risk at both orders of selection. We found no evidence of a population‐level trade‐off between forage quality and wolf risk. However, we found substantial among‐individual heterogeneity in resource selection patterns such that population‐level patterns were potentially misleading. We found no evidence that the diversity of individual resource selection patterns varied predictably with available resources, or that patterns of individual risk‐related resource selection translated into biologically meaningful changes in body fat or pregnancy rates. Our work highlights the importance of evaluating individual responses to predation risk and predator hunting technique when assessing responses to predators and suggests nonconsumptive effects are not operating at a population scale in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences University of Montana Missoula Montana USA
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4
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Manlove K, Wilber M, White L, Bastille‐Rousseau G, Yang A, Gilbertson MLJ, Craft ME, Cross PC, Wittemyer G, Pepin KM. Defining an epidemiological landscape that connects movement ecology to pathogen transmission and pace‐of‐life. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:1760-1782. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.14032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kezia Manlove
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan Utah USA
| | - Mark Wilber
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Lauren White
- National Socio‐Environmental Synthesis Center University of Maryland Annapolis Maryland USA
| | | | - Anni Yang
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability University of Oklahoma Norman Oklahoma USA
| | - Marie L. J. Gilbertson
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine University of Minnesota St. Paul Minnesota USA
- Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin–Madison Madison Wisconsin USA
| | - Meggan E. Craft
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota St. Paul Minnesota USA
| | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman Montana USA
| | - George Wittemyer
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Kim M. Pepin
- National Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services National Wildlife Research Center Fort Collins Colorado USA
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5
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Chakrabarti S, O’Neil ST, Erb J, Humpal C, Bump JK. Recent Trends in Survival and Mortality of Wolves in Minnesota, United States. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.826358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival is a key determinant of population growth and persistence; computation and understanding of this metric is key to successful population management, especially for recovering populations of large carnivores such as wolves. Using a Bayesian frailty analytical approach, we evaluated information from 150 radio-tagged wolves over a 16-year time period to determine temporal trends and age- and sex-specific survival rates of wolves in Minnesota, United States. Based on our analyses, overall annual survival of wolves during the study was 0.67, with no clear evidence for age- or sex-specific differences in the population. Our model demonstrated statistical support for a temporal trend in annual survival; the highest survival was predicted at the beginning of the time series (0.87), with lowest survival (0.55) during 2018. We did not observe evidence that survival was markedly reduced during years when a regulated hunting and trapping season was implemented for wolves (years 2012–2014). However, cause-specific mortality analysis indicated that most mortality was human-caused. While the estimate for increasing human-caused mortality over time was positive, the evidence was not statistically significant. Anthropogenic causes resulted in ∼66% of known mortalities, including legal and illegal killing, and vehicular collisions. Trends in wolf survival in Minnesota may reflect an expanding distribution; wolf range has spread to areas with more human development during the study, presumably leading to increased hazard and reduced survival. Our results provide foundational information for evaluating and guiding future policy decisions pertaining to the Great Lakes wolf population.
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Binning SA, Craft ME, Zuk M, Shaw AK. How to study parasites and host migration: a roadmap for empiricists. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1161-1178. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra A. Binning
- Département de sciences biologiques Université de Montréal 1375 Ave. Thérèse‐Lavoie‐Roux Montréal QC H2V 0B3 Canada
| | - Meggan E. Craft
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota 1479 Gortner Ave St. Paul MN 55108 U.S.A
| | - Marlene Zuk
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota 1479 Gortner Ave St. Paul MN 55108 U.S.A
| | - Allison K. Shaw
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota 1479 Gortner Ave St. Paul MN 55108 U.S.A
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7
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Elk Responses to Management Hunting and Hazing. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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8
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Szcodronski KE, Cross PC. Scavengers reduce potential brucellosis transmission risk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C. Cross
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center U.S. Geological Survey Bozeman Montana 59715 USA
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Couch CE, Wise BL, Scurlock BM, Rogerson JD, Fuda RK, Cole EK, Szcodronski KE, Sepulveda AJ, Hutchins PR, Cross PC. Effects of supplemental feeding on the fecal bacterial communities of Rocky Mountain elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249521. [PMID: 33831062 PMCID: PMC8031386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Supplemental feeding of wildlife is a common practice often undertaken for recreational or management purposes, but it may have unintended consequences for animal health. Understanding cryptic effects of diet supplementation on the gut microbiomes of wild mammals is important to inform conservation and management strategies. Multiple laboratory studies have demonstrated the importance of the gut microbiome for extracting and synthesizing nutrients, modulating host immunity, and many other vital host functions, but these relationships can be disrupted by dietary perturbation. The well-described interplay between diet, the microbiome, and host health in laboratory and human systems highlights the need to understand the consequences of supplemental feeding on the microbiomes of free-ranging animal populations. This study describes changes to the gut microbiomes of wild elk under different supplemental feeding regimes. We demonstrated significant cross-sectional variation between elk at different feeding locations and identified several relatively low-abundance bacterial genera that differed between fed versus unfed groups. In addition, we followed four of these populations through mid-season changes in supplemental feeding regimes and demonstrated a significant shift in microbiome composition in a single population that changed from natural forage to supplementation with alfalfa pellets. Some of the taxonomic shifts in this population mirrored changes associated with ruminal acidosis in domestic livestock. We discerned no significant changes in the population that shifted from natural forage to hay supplementation, or in the populations that changed from one type of hay to another. Our results suggest that supplementation with alfalfa pellets alters the native gut microbiome of elk, with potential implications for population health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E. Couch
- Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Benjamin L. Wise
- Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Jackson, Wyoming, United States of America
| | | | - Jared D. Rogerson
- Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Pinedale, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Rebecca K. Fuda
- Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Prineville, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Eric K. Cole
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Elk Refuge, Jackson, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - Kimberly E. Szcodronski
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Adam J. Sepulveda
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Patrick R. Hutchins
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
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10
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Rayl ND, Merkle JA, Proffitt KM, Almberg ES, Jones JD, Gude JA, Cross PC. Elk migration influences the risk of disease spillover in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:1264-1275. [PMID: 33630313 PMCID: PMC8251637 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Wildlife migrations provide important ecosystem services, but they are declining. Within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), some elk Cervus canadensis herds are losing migratory tendencies, which may increase spatiotemporal overlap between elk and livestock (domestic bison Bison bison and cattle Bos taurus), potentially exacerbating pathogen transmission risk. We combined disease, movement, demographic and environmental data from eight elk herds in the GYE to examine the differential risk of brucellosis transmission (through aborted foetuses) from migrant and resident elk to livestock. For both migrants and residents, we found that transmission risk from elk to livestock occurred almost exclusively on private ranchlands as opposed to state or federal grazing allotments. Weather variability affected the estimated distribution of spillover risk from migrant elk to livestock, with a 7%–12% increase in migrant abortions on private ranchlands during years with heavier snowfall. In contrast, weather variability did not affect spillover risk from resident elk. Migrant elk were responsible for the majority (68%) of disease spillover risk to livestock because they occurred in greater numbers than resident elk. On a per‐capita basis, however, our analyses suggested that resident elk disproportionately contributed to spillover risk. In five of seven herds, we estimated that the per‐capita spillover risk was greater from residents than from migrants. Averaged across herds, an individual resident elk was 23% more likely than an individual migrant elk to abort on private ranchlands. Our results demonstrate links between migration behaviour, spillover risk and environmental variability, and highlight the utility of integrating models of pathogen transmission and host movement to generate new insights about the role of migration in disease spillover risk. Furthermore, they add to the accumulating body of evidence across taxa that suggests that migrants and residents should be considered separately during investigations of wildlife disease ecology. Finally, our findings have applied implications for elk and brucellosis in the GYE. They suggest that managers should prioritize actions that maintain spatial separation of elk and livestock on private ranchlands during years when snowpack persists into the risk period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel D Rayl
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Grand Junction, CO, USA.,U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Jerod A Merkle
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, USA
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11
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Dadar M, Shahali Y, Fakhri Y, Godfroid J. The global epidemiology of Brucella infections in terrestrial wildlife: A meta-analysis. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:715-729. [PMID: 32679611 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease with serious consequences on human and animal health. Brucella infections were reported in many terrestrial wild animals, from subtropical and temperate regions to arctic regions. In many areas, the epidemiology of brucellosis in wildlife is closely associated with the occurrence of the disease in livestock. Some wild species may contribute to the re-introduction of Brucella infections in livestock (spillback), even in officially brucellosis-free (OBF) regions. Through meta-regression analysis, this study draws a global picture of the prevalence of Brucella spp. in terrestrial wild animals, trying to determine most affected subgroups as well as preferential sampling and screening methods. For this purpose, a literature search was carried out among publications published from 1983 to 2019. Different subgroups were compared according to animal species, feeding, gender, age as well as the method used for sampling and for brucellosis diagnostic. To determine heterogeneity of studies, chi-squared test was used and a random-effects model (REM) estimated the pooled prevalence among subgroups. A total of 68 publications, comprising 229 data reports/studies, were selected. The most-reported Brucella species in wildlife was Brucella abortus, and the highest prevalence rate was found in American bison, Bison bison (39.9%) followed by Alpine ibex, Capra ibex (33%). Serology was the most widely applied diagnostic approach (66%), while PCR appeared to be highly sensitive (36.62% of positive results). The gender of animals showed no significant association with the prevalence of brucellosis (p > .05). Blood samples and visceral organs constituted the great majority of specimen used for the detection of Brucella spp., while lymph nodes showed a high prevalence of positive samples (94.6%). The present study provides insight into the global epidemiology and enzootic potential of brucellosis in wild terrestrial animals worldwide, aiming at helping the appropriate authorities to strengthen prevention, surveillance and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dadar
- Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI), Karaj, Iran
| | - Youcef Shahali
- Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI), Karaj, Iran
| | - Yadolah Fakhri
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Food Health Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Jacques Godfroid
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, Tromsø, Norway
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12
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Garwood TJ, Lehman CP, Walsh DP, Cassirer EF, Besser TE, Jenks JA. Removal of chronic Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae carrier ewes eliminates pneumonia in a bighorn sheep population. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:3491-3502. [PMID: 32274004 PMCID: PMC7141075 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic pathogen carriage is one mechanism that allows diseases to persist in populations. We hypothesized that persistent or recurrent pneumonia in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations may be caused by chronic carriers of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Mo). Our experimental approach allowed us to address a conservation need while investigating the role of chronic carriage in disease persistence.We tested our hypothesis in two bighorn sheep populations in South Dakota, USA. We identified and removed Mo chronic carriers from the Custer State Park (treatment) population. Simultaneously, we identified carriers but did not remove them from the Rapid City population (control). We predicted removal would result in decreased pneumonia, mortality, and Mo prevalence. Both population ranges had similar habitat and predator communities but were sufficiently isolated to preclude intermixing.We classified chronic carriers as adults that consistently tested positive for Mo carriage over a 20-month sampling period (n = 2 in the treatment population; n = 2 in control population).We failed to detect Mo or pneumonia in the treatment population after chronic carrier removal, while both remained in the control. Mortality hazard for lambs was reduced by 72% in the treatment population relative to the control (CI = 36%, 91%). There was also a 41% reduction in adult mortality hazard attributable to the treatment, although this was not statistically significant (CI = 82% reduction, 34% increase). Synthesis and Applications: These results support the hypothesis that Mo is a primary causative agent of persistent or recurrent respiratory disease in bighorn sheep populations and can be maintained by a few chronic carriers. Our findings provide direction for future research and management actions aimed at controlling pneumonia in wild sheep and may apply to other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Garwood
- Department of Natural Resource ManagementSouth Dakota State UniversityBrookingsSDUSA
| | | | - Daniel P. Walsh
- U.S. Geological SurveyNational Wildlife Health CenterMadisonWIUSA
| | | | - Thomas E. Besser
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and PathologyWashington State UniversityPullmanWAUSA
| | - Jonathan A. Jenks
- Department of Natural Resource ManagementSouth Dakota State UniversityBrookingsSDUSA
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13
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Cotterill GG, Cross PC, Merkle JA, Rogerson JD, Scurlock BM, Toit JT. Parsing the effects of demography, climate and management on recurrent brucellosis outbreaks in elk. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman MT USA
| | - Jerod A. Merkle
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie WY USA
| | | | | | - Johan T. Toit
- Department of Wildland Resources Utah State University Logan UT USA
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14
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Ellis KS, Larsen RT, Koons DN. The importance of functional responses among competing predators for avian nesting success. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen S. Ellis
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
| | - Randy T. Larsen
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences Brigham Young University Provo UT USA
| | - David N. Koons
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Graduate Degree Program in Ecology Colorado State University Fort Collins CO USA
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15
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Cross PC, Prosser DJ, Ramey AM, Hanks EM, Pepin KM. Confronting models with data: the challenges of estimating disease spillover. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 374:20180435. [PMID: 31401965 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
For pathogens known to transmit across host species, strategic investment in disease control requires knowledge about where and when spillover transmission is likely. One approach to estimating spillover is to directly correlate observed spillover events with covariates. An alternative is to mechanistically combine information on host density, distribution and pathogen prevalence to predict where and when spillover events are expected to occur. We use several case studies at the wildlife-livestock disease interface to highlight the challenges, and potential solutions, to estimating spatio-temporal variation in spillover risk. Datasets on multiple host species often do not align in space, time or resolution, and may have no estimates of observation error. Linking these datasets requires they be related to a common spatial and temporal resolution and appropriately propagating errors in predictions can be difficult. Hierarchical models are one potential solution, but for fine-resolution predictions at broad spatial scales, many models become computationally challenging. Despite these limitations, the confrontation of mechanistic predictions with observed events is an important avenue for developing a better understanding of pathogen spillover. Systems where data have been collected at all levels in the spillover process are rare, or non-existent, and require investment and sustained effort across disciplines. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dynamic and integrative approaches to understanding pathogen spillover'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
| | - Diann J Prosser
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 12100 Beech Forest Drive, Laurel, MD 20708, USA
| | - Andrew M Ramey
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Ephraim M Hanks
- Department of Statistics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Kim M Pepin
- National Wildlife Research Center, USDA-APHIS, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
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16
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Rayl ND, Proffitt KM, Almberg ES, Jones JD, Merkle JA, Gude JA, Cross PC. Modeling elk‐to‐livestock transmission risk to predict hotspots of brucellosis spillover. J Wildl Manage 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel D. Rayl
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science CenterBozemanMT59715USA
| | | | | | | | - Jerod A. Merkle
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitDepartment of Zoology and PhysiologyUniversity of WyomingLaramieWY82071USA
| | | | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science CenterBozemanMT59715USA
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17
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Cotterill GG, Cross PC, Cole EK, Fuda RK, Rogerson JD, Scurlock BM, du Toit JT. Winter feeding of elk in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and its effects on disease dynamics. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019. [PMID: 29531148 PMCID: PMC5882999 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Providing food to wildlife during periods when natural food is limited results in aggregations that may facilitate disease transmission. This is exemplified in western Wyoming where institutional feeding over the past century has aimed to mitigate wildlife–livestock conflict and minimize winter mortality of elk (Cervus canadensis). Here we review research across 23 winter feedgrounds where the most studied disease is brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus. Traditional veterinary practices (vaccination, test-and-slaughter) have thus far been unable to control this disease in elk, which can spill over to cattle. Current disease-reduction efforts are being guided by ecological research on elk movement and density, reproduction, stress, co-infections and scavengers. Given the right tools, feedgrounds could provide opportunities for adaptive management of brucellosis through regular animal testing and population-level manipulations. Our analyses of several such manipulations highlight the value of a research–management partnership guided by hypothesis testing, despite the constraints of the sociopolitical environment. However, brucellosis is now spreading in unfed elk herds, while other diseases (e.g. chronic wasting disease) are of increasing concern at feedgrounds. Therefore experimental closures of feedgrounds, reduced feeding and lower elk populations merit consideration. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Anthropogenic resource subsidies and host–parasite dynamics in wildlife’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin G Cotterill
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Paul C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way, Suite 2, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
| | - Eric K Cole
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Elk Refuge, PO Box 510, Jackson, WY 83001, USA
| | - Rebecca K Fuda
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 432 Mill Street, Pinedale, WY 82941, USA
| | - Jared D Rogerson
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 432 Mill Street, Pinedale, WY 82941, USA
| | - Brandon M Scurlock
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 432 Mill Street, Pinedale, WY 82941, USA
| | - Johan T du Toit
- Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA
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Wijeyakulasuriya DA, Hanks EM, Shaby BA, Cross PC. Extreme Value-Based Methods for Modeling Elk Yearly Movements. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL, BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s13253-018-00342-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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19
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Cotterill GG, Cross PC, Middleton AD, Rogerson JD, Scurlock BM, du Toit JT. Hidden cost of disease in a free-ranging ungulate: brucellosis reduces mid-winter pregnancy in elk. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:10733-10742. [PMID: 30519402 PMCID: PMC6262735 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Demonstrating disease impacts on the vital rates of free-ranging mammalian hosts typically requires intensive, long-term study. Evidence for chronic pathogens affecting reproduction but not survival is rare, but has the potential for wide-ranging effects. Accurately quantifying disease-associated reductions in fecundity is important for advancing theory, generating accurate predictive models, and achieving effective management. We investigated the impacts of brucellosis (Brucella abortus) on elk (Cervus canadensis) productivity using serological data from over 6,000 captures since 1990 in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA. Over 1,000 of these records included known age and pregnancy status. Using Bayesian multilevel models, we estimated the age-specific pregnancy probabilities of exposed and naïve elk. We then used repeat-capture data to investigate the full effects of the disease on life history. Brucellosis exposure reduced pregnancy rates of elk captured in mid- and late-winter. In an average year, we found 60% of exposed 2-year-old elk were pregnant compared to 91% of their naïve counterparts (a 31 percentage point reduction, 89% HPDI = 20%-42%), whereas exposed 3- to 9-year-olds were 7 percentage points less likely to be pregnant than naïve elk of their same age (89% HPDI = 2%-11%). We found these reduced rates of pregnancy to be independent from disease-induced abortions, which afflict a portion of exposed elk. We estimate that the combination of reduced pregnancy by mid-winter and the abortions following mid-winter reduces the reproductive output of exposed female elk by 24%, which affects population dynamics to a similar extent as severe winters or droughts. Exposing hidden reproductive costs of disease is essential to avoid conflating them with the effects of climate and predation. Such reproductive costs cause complex population dynamics, and the magnitude of the effect we found should drive a strong selection gradient if there is heritable resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science CenterBozemanMontana
| | - Arthur D. Middleton
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeleyCalifornia
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20
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EFFECTS OF BRUCELLOSIS SEROLOGIC STATUS ON PHYSIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK ( CERVUS CANADENSIS NELSONI) IN SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA, USA. J Wildl Dis 2018; 55:304-315. [PMID: 30277828 DOI: 10.7589/2018-01-011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis, caused by bacteria in the genus Brucella, is an infectious zoonosis affecting animals and humans worldwide. Free-ranging Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus canadensis nelsoni) and bison ( Bison bison) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (areas of southwestern Montana, eastern Idaho, and northwestern Wyoming, US) are the self-sustaining reservoirs of bovine brucellosis ( Brucella abortus) and elk are considered the primary source of livestock infections. It has been hypothesized that Brucella-exposed elk might have different physiologic status (pregnancy rates and body condition) and migration behaviors than would healthy elk. Here we tested the effects of brucellosis serologic status on pregnancy rates and winter ingesta free body fat of 100 female elk in southwestern Montana. We also evaluated the effects of serologic status on two characteristics of spring migration behavior, migration types (migrant, mixed migrant, resident, disperser, nomad, and undetermined type) and timing (start and end dates and duration). The migration behaviors were quantified using a model-driven approach based on the relative net squared displacement. We detected a significant difference (P=0.003) in pregnancy rates between seropositive and seronegative elk, with about a 30% drop in seropositive individuals. However, we did not detect differences in body fat between seropositive and seronegative elk or differences in either migration type or timing of spring migration. These results confirmed that the major effect of brucellosis in free-ranging elk is associated with reproduction.
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21
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Stenglein JL, Wydeven AP, Van Deelen TR. Compensatory mortality in a recovering top carnivore: wolves in Wisconsin, USA (1979-2013). Oecologia 2018; 187:99-111. [PMID: 29627957 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4132-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Populations of large terrestrial carnivores are in various stages of recovery worldwide and the question of whether there is compensation in mortality sources is relevant to conservation. Here, we show variation in Wisconsin wolf survival from 1979 to 2013 by jointly estimating the hazard of wolves' radio-telemetry ending (endpoint) and endpoint cause. In previous analyses, wolves lost to radio-telemetry follow-up (collar loss) were censored from analysis, thereby assuming collar loss was unconfounded with mortality. Our approach allowed us to explicitly estimate hazard due to collar loss and did not require censoring these records from analysis. We found mean annual survival was 76% and mean annual causes of mortality were illegal killing (9.4%), natural and unknown causes (9.5%), and other human-caused mortality such as hunting, vehicle collisions and lethal control (5.1%). Illegal killing and natural mortality were highest during winter, causing wolf survival to decrease relative to summer. Mortality was highest during early recovery and lowest during a period of sustained population growth. Wolves again experienced higher risk of human-caused mortality relative to natural mortality as wolves expanded into areas with more human activity. We detected partial compensation in human- and natural-caused mortality since 2004 as the population saturated more available habitat. Prior to 2004, we detected additivity in mortality sources. Assessments of wolf survival and cause of mortality rates and the finding of partial compensation in mortality sources will inform wolf conservation and management efforts by identifying sources and sinks, finding areas of conservation need, and assessing management zone delineation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Stenglein
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Adrian P Wydeven
- Timber Wolf Alliance, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Ashland, WI, USA
| | - Timothy R Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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22
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Walsh DP, Norton AS, Storm DJ, Van Deelen TR, Heisey DM. Using expert knowledge to incorporate uncertainty in cause-of-death assignments for modeling of cause-specific mortality. Ecol Evol 2017; 8:509-520. [PMID: 29321889 PMCID: PMC5756890 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Implicit and explicit use of expert knowledge to inform ecological analyses is becoming increasingly common because it often represents the sole source of information in many circumstances. Thus, there is a need to develop statistical methods that explicitly incorporate expert knowledge, and can successfully leverage this information while properly accounting for associated uncertainty during analysis. Studies of cause-specific mortality provide an example of implicit use of expert knowledge when causes-of-death are uncertain and assigned based on the observer's knowledge of the most likely cause. To explicitly incorporate this use of expert knowledge and the associated uncertainty, we developed a statistical model for estimating cause-specific mortality using a data augmentation approach within a Bayesian hierarchical framework. Specifically, for each mortality event, we elicited the observer's belief of cause-of-death by having them specify the probability that the death was due to each potential cause. These probabilities were then used as prior predictive values within our framework. This hierarchical framework permitted a simple and rigorous estimation method that was easily modified to include covariate effects and regularizing terms. Although applied to survival analysis, this method can be extended to any event-time analysis with multiple event types, for which there is uncertainty regarding the true outcome. We conducted simulations to determine how our framework compared to traditional approaches that use expert knowledge implicitly and assume that cause-of-death is specified accurately. Simulation results supported the inclusion of observer uncertainty in cause-of-death assignment in modeling of cause-specific mortality to improve model performance and inference. Finally, we applied the statistical model we developed and a traditional method to cause-specific survival data for white-tailed deer, and compared results. We demonstrate that model selection results changed between the two approaches, and incorporating observer knowledge in cause-of-death increased the variability associated with parameter estimates when compared to the traditional approach. These differences between the two approaches can impact reported results, and therefore, it is critical to explicitly incorporate expert knowledge in statistical methods to ensure rigorous inference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Walsh
- National Wildlife Health CenterU.S. Geological Survey Madison WI USA
| | - Andrew S Norton
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison WI USA.,Present address: 35365 800th Avenue Madelia MN 56062 USA
| | - Daniel J Storm
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Science Services Rhinelander WI USA
| | - Timothy R Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison WI USA
| | - Dennis M Heisey
- National Wildlife Health CenterU.S. Geological Survey Madison WI USA
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23
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Merkle JA, Cross PC, Scurlock BM, Cole EK, Courtemanch AB, Dewey SR, Kauffman MJ. Linking spring phenology with mechanistic models of host movement to predict disease transmission risk. J Appl Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jerod A. Merkle
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie WY USA
| | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman MT USA
| | | | - Eric K. Cole
- National Elk Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jackson WY USA
| | | | | | - Matthew J. Kauffman
- U.S. Geological Survey Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie WY USA
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24
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Brennan A, Cross PC, Portacci K, Scurlock BM, Edwards WH. Shifting brucellosis risk in livestock coincides with spreading seroprevalence in elk. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178780. [PMID: 28609437 PMCID: PMC5469469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tracking and preventing the spillover of disease from wildlife to livestock can be difficult when rare outbreaks occur across large landscapes. In these cases, broad scale ecological studies could help identify risk factors and patterns of risk to inform management and reduce incidence of disease. Between 2002 and 2014, 21 livestock herds in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) were affected by brucellosis, a bacterial disease caused by Brucella abortus, while no affected herds were detected between 1990 and 2001. Using a Bayesian analysis, we examined several ecological covariates that may be associated with affected livestock herds across the region. We showed that livestock risk has been increasing over time and expanding outward from the historical nexus of brucellosis in wild elk on Wyoming’s feeding grounds where elk are supplementally fed during the winter. Although elk were the presumed source of cattle infections, occurrences of affected livestock herds were only weakly associated with the density of seropositive elk across the GYA. However, the shift in livestock risk did coincide with recent increases in brucellosis seroprevalence in unfed elk populations. As increasing brucellosis in unfed elk likely stemmed from high levels of the disease in fed elk, disease-related costs of feeding elk have probably been incurred across the entire GYA, rather than solely around the feeding grounds. Our results suggest that focused disease mitigation in areas where seroprevalence in unfed elk is high could reduce the spillover of brucellosis to livestock. We also highlight the need to better understand the epidemiology of spillover events with detailed histories of disease testing, calving, and movement of infected livestock. Finally, we recommend using case-control studies to investigate local factors important to livestock risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Brennan
- Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, Montana, United States of America
| | - Katie Portacci
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Brandon M. Scurlock
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Pinedale, Wyoming, United States of America
| | - William H. Edwards
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Laramie, Wyoming, United States of America
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25
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Benavides JA, Caillaud D, Scurlock BM, Maichak EJ, Edwards WH, Cross PC. Estimating Loss of Brucella Abortus Antibodies from Age-Specific Serological Data In Elk. ECOHEALTH 2017; 14:234-243. [PMID: 28508154 PMCID: PMC5486471 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-017-1235-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Serological data are one of the primary sources of information for disease monitoring in wildlife. However, the duration of the seropositive status of exposed individuals is almost always unknown for many free-ranging host species. Directly estimating rates of antibody loss typically requires difficult longitudinal sampling of individuals following seroconversion. Instead, we propose a Bayesian statistical approach linking age and serological data to a mechanistic epidemiological model to infer brucellosis infection, the probability of antibody loss, and recovery rates of elk (Cervus canadensis) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We found that seroprevalence declined above the age of ten, with no evidence of disease-induced mortality. The probability of antibody loss was estimated to be 0.70 per year after a five-year period of seropositivity and the basic reproduction number for brucellosis to 2.13. Our results suggest that individuals are unlikely to become re-infected because models with this mechanism were unable to reproduce a significant decline in seroprevalence in older individuals. This study highlights the possible implications of antibody loss, which could bias our estimation of critical epidemiological parameters for wildlife disease management based on serological data.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Benavides
- Department of Ecology, Montana State University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA.
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - D Caillaud
- The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Anthropology, The University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - B M Scurlock
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Pinedale, WY, 82941, USA
| | - E J Maichak
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Pinedale, WY, 82941, USA
| | - W H Edwards
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - P C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way Suite 2, Bozeman, MT, 59715, USA
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26
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Warbington CH, Van Deelen TR, Norton AS, Stenglein JL, Storm DJ, Martin KJ. Cause-specific neonatal mortality of white-tailed deer in Wisconsin, USA. J Wildl Manage 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andrew S. Norton
- University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1630 Linden Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
| | | | - Daniel J. Storm
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 107 Sutliff Avenue Rhinelander WI 54501 USA
| | - Karl J. Martin
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 2801 Progress Road Madison WI 53716 USA
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27
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Maichak EJ, Scurlock BM, Cross PC, Rogerson JD, Edwards WH, Wise B, Smith SG, Kreeger TJ. Assessment of a strain 19 brucellosis vaccination program in elk. WILDLIFE SOC B 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul C. Cross
- U.S. Geological SurveyNorthern Rocky Mountain Science CenterBozeman, MT 59715USA
| | | | | | - Benjamin Wise
- Wyoming Game and Fish DepartmentJackson, WY 83001USA
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28
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Modelling Seasonal Brucellosis Epidemics in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China, 2010-2014. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:5103718. [PMID: 27872852 PMCID: PMC5107254 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5103718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Brucellosis is one of the severe public health problems; the cumulative number of new human brucellosis cases reached 211515 from 2010 to 2014 in China. Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the southeast of Xinjiang, where brucellosis infection occurs every year. Based on the reported data of newly acute human brucellosis cases for each season in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, we proposed a susceptible, exposed, infected, and vaccinated (SEIV) model with periodic transmission rates to investigate the seasonal brucellosis transmission dynamics among sheep/cattle and from sheep/cattle to humans. Compared with the criteria of MAPE and RMSPE, the model simulations agree to the data on newly acute human brucellosis. We predict that the number of newly acute human brucellosis is increasing and will peak 15325 [95% CI: 11920-18242] around the summer of 2023. We also estimate the basic reproduction number R0 = 2.5524 [95% CI: 2.5129-2.6225] and perform some sensitivity analysis of the newly acute human brucellosis cases and the basic reproduction number R0 in terms of model parameters. Our study demonstrates that reducing the birth number of sheep/cattle, raising the slaughter rate of infected sheep/cattle, increasing the vaccination rate of susceptible sheep/cattle, and decreasing the loss rate of vaccination are effective strategies to control brucellosis epidemic.
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29
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Norton AS, Storm DJ, Watt MA, Jacques CN, Martin K, Van Deelen TR. Left truncation criteria for survival analysis of white-tailed deer. J Wildl Manage 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Norton
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1630 Linden Dr. Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Daniel J. Storm
- Bureau of Science Services; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 107 Sutliff Ave. Rhinelander WI 54501 USA
| | - Michael A. Watt
- Bureau of Science Services; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 2801 Progress Rd. Madison WI 53716 USA
| | - Christopher N. Jacques
- Department of Biological Sciences; Western Illinois University, 1 University Circle; Macomb IL 61455 USA
| | - Karl Martin
- University of Wisconsin-Extension; 432 North Lake St. Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Timothy R. Van Deelen
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1630 Linden Dr. Madison WI 53706 USA
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30
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Brennan A, Cross PC, Creel S. Managing more than the mean: using quantile regression to identify factors related to large elk groups. J Appl Ecol 2015; 52:1656-1664. [PMID: 27660373 PMCID: PMC5016784 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Animal group size distributions are often right-skewed, whereby most groups are small, but most individuals occur in larger groups that may also disproportionately affect ecology and policy. In this case, examining covariates associated with upper quantiles of the group size distribution could facilitate better understanding and management of large animal groups.We studied wintering elk groups in Wyoming, where group sizes span several orders of magnitude, and issues of disease, predation and property damage are affected by larger group sizes. We used quantile regression to evaluate relationships between the group size distribution and variables of land use, habitat, elk density and wolf abundance to identify conditions important to larger elk groups.We recorded 1263 groups ranging from 1 to 1952 elk and found that across all quantiles of group size, group sizes were larger in open habitat and on private land, but the largest effect occurred between irrigated and non-irrigated land [e.g. the 90th quantile group size increased by 135 elk (95% CI = 42, 227) on irrigation].Only upper quantile group sizes were positively related to broad-scale measures of elk density and wolf abundance. For wolf abundance, this effect was greater on elk groups found in open habitats and private land than those in closed habitats or public land. If we had limited our analysis to mean or median group sizes, we would not have detected these effects. Synthesis and applications. Our analysis of elk group size distributions using quantile regression suggests that private land, irrigation, open habitat, elk density and wolf abundance can affect large elk group sizes. Thus, to manage larger groups by removal or dispersal of individuals, we recommend incentivizing hunting on private land (particularly if irrigated) during the regular and late hunting seasons, promoting tolerance of wolves on private land (if elk aggregate in these areas to avoid wolves) and creating more winter range and varied habitats. Relationships to the variables of interest also differed by quantile, highlighting the importance of using quantile regression to examine response variables more completely to uncover relationships important to conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Brennan
- Institute on Ecosystems Montana State University Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - Paul C Cross
- U.S. Geological Survey Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Bozeman MT 59715 USA
| | - Scott Creel
- Department of Ecology Montana State University Bozeman MT 59717 USA
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