Inferring the Ecological Niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in Wild Felids

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dc.contributor.authorEscobar, Luis E.en
dc.contributor.authorCarver, Scotten
dc.contributor.authorRomero-Alvarez, Danielen
dc.contributor.authorVandeWoude, Sueen
dc.contributor.authorCrooks, Kevin R.en
dc.contributor.authorLappin, Michael R.en
dc.contributor.authorCraft, Meggan E.en
dc.contributor.departmentFish and Wildlife Conservationen
dc.date.accessioned2019-08-08T17:05:30Zen
dc.date.available2019-08-08T17:05:30Zen
dc.date.issued2017-10-17en
dc.description.abstractTraditional epidemiological studies of disease in animal populations often focus on directly transmitted pathogens. One reason pathogens with complex lifecycles are understudied could be due to challenges associated with detection in vectors and the environment. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is a methodological approach that overcomes some of the detection challenges often seen with vector or environmentally dependent pathogens. We test this approach using a unique dataset of two pathogens in wild felids across North America: Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in bobcats (Lynx rufus) and puma (Puma concolor). We found three main patterns. First, T gondii showed a broader use of environmental conditions than did Bartonella spp. Also, ecological niche models, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index satellite imagery, were useful even when applied to wide-ranging hosts. Finally, ENM results from one region could be applied to other regions, thus transferring information across different landscapes. With this research, we detail the uncertainty of epidemiological risk models across novel environments, thereby advancing tools available for epidemiological decision-making. We propose that ENM could be a valuable tool for enabling understanding of transmission risk, contributing to more focused prevention and control options for infectious diseases.en
dc.description.notesThis research was funded by National Science Foundation's Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Research Program (NSF EF-0723676 and NSF DEB-1413925). MC was funded by the University of Minnesota's Office of the Vice President for Research and Academic Health Center Seed Grant. LE and DR-A thank the MiniGrant MF-0010-15 from the Institute of the Environment of the University of Minnesota, which supported the internship of DR-A in Minnesota.en
dc.description.sponsorshipNational Science Foundation's Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases Research Program [NSF EF-0723676, NSF DEB-1413925]; University of Minnesota's Office of the Vice President for Research and Academic Health Center Seed Grant; Institute of the Environment of the University of Minnesota [MF-0010-15]en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2017.00172en
dc.identifier.issn2297-1769en
dc.identifier.other172en
dc.identifier.pmid29090215en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/92891en
dc.identifier.volume4en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherFrontiersen
dc.rightsCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/en
dc.subjectBartonella spp.en
dc.subjectenvironmental transmissionen
dc.subjectLynx rufusen
dc.subjectnicheen
dc.subjectPuma concoloren
dc.subjectToxoplasma gondiien
dc.titleInferring the Ecological Niche of Toxoplasma gondii and Bartonella spp. in Wild Felidsen
dc.title.serialFrontiers in Veterinary Scienceen
dc.typeArticle - Refereeden
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
dc.type.dcmitypeStillImageen

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