A5028976988- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Turfgrass Adaptation and Management
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Military and Defense Studies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Geographies of human-animal interactions
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Archaeology and Natural History
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Aerospace and Aviation Technology
- Engineering and Test Systems
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Veterinary Practice and Education Studies
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2024
Great Basin College
2016-2022
Humane Society of the United States
2016-2019
Global Alliance for Rabies Control
2016
University of Nevada, Reno
1998-2006
University of Colorado Boulder
2002
Desert Research Institute
2000
Boeing (Australia)
1975
Large populations of free-roaming cats (FRCs) generate ongoing concerns for welfare both individual animals and populations, human public health, viability native wildlife local ecological damage. Managing FRC is a complex task, without universal agreement on best practices. Previous analyses that use simulation modeling tools to evaluate alternative management methods have focused relative efficacy removal (or trap-return, TR), typically involving euthanasia, sterilization...
This study used a previously developed stochastic simulation model (1) to estimate the impact of different management actions on free-roaming kitten and cat mortality over 10-year period. These longer-term cumulative impacts have not been systematically examined date. We seven scenarios, including: taking no action, (2) low-intensity removal, (3) high-intensity (4) episodic culling, (5) (6) trap-neuter-return (TNR), (7) TNR. For each scenario we tracked within number kittens born, surviving...
An estimated 59 000 persons die annually of infection with the rabies virus worldwide, and dog bites are responsible for 95% these deaths. Haiti has highest rate animal human in Western Hemisphere. This study describes status welfare, vaccination, bite treatment, canine morbidity mortality order to identify barriers prevention control. epidemiologic survey was used data collection among owners during government-sponsored vaccination clinics at fourteen randomly selected sites from July 2014...
We tested environmental data from remote sensing and geographic information system maps as indicators of Sin Nombre virus (SNV) infections in deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) populations the Walker River Basin, Nevada California. determined by serologic testing presence SNV mice 144 field sites. used systems to characterize vegetation type density, elevation, slope, hydrologic features each site. The retroactively predicted infection status with up 80% accuracy. If models temporal...
To study the ecologic correlates of hantavirus in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), we sampled 114 sites Walker River Basin Nevada and California 1995-1996. Blood samples were tested for antibody to hantavirus, a subset was also virus RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Average prevalence antibody-positive 17%, with heavier males most likely be infected. Antibody varied within repeatedly from 0% 50% over course several months, suggesting possible infection cycles....
Dogs harbor numerous zoonotic pathogens, many of which are controlled through vaccination programs. The delivery these programs can be difficult where resources limited. We developed a dynamic model to estimate coverage and cost-per-dog vaccinated. considers the main factors that affect programs: dog demographics, effectiveness strategies, efficacy interventions cost. was evaluated on data from 18 representing eight countries. Sensitivity analysis performed for confinement strategies....
Haiti, a Caribbean country of 10.5 million people, is estimated to have the highest burden canine-mediated human rabies deaths in Western Hemisphere, and one rates world. Haiti also poorest Hemisphere has numerous economic health priorities that compete for rabies-control resources. As result, primary actions, including canine vaccination programs, surveillance systems animal rabies, appropriate postbite treatment, not been fully implemented at national scale. After 2010 earthquake further...
ABSTRACT Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is thought to establish a persistent infection in its natural reservoir, the deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), despite strong host immune response. SNV-specific neutralizing antibodies were routinely detected mice which maintained RNA blood and lungs. To determine whether viral diversity played role SNV persistence escape mice, we measured prevalence of quasispecies infected rodents over time setting. Mark-recapture studies provided serial samples from...
ABSTRACT Data from naturally infected deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) were used to investigate vertical transmission of Sin Nombre virus (SNV) and SNV-specific antibody. The antibody prevalence in juvenile (14 g or less) was inversely proportional the mass animal, with weighing less than 11 most likely be positive (26.9%) between 13 14 least (12.9%). Although a significant sex bias seropositivity detected adult mice, no animals. Ten identified that had initially tested for...
Objectives This study used computer simulation modeling to estimate and compare costs of different free-roaming cat (FRC) management options (lethal non-lethal removal, trap–neuter–return, combinations these no action) their ability reduce FRC population abundance in open demographic settings. The findings provide a resource for selecting approaches that are well matched specific communities, goals timelines, they represent use best available science address issues. Methods Multiple were...
Numerous wildlife species within semi-arid shrubland ecosystems across western North America are experiencing substantial habitat loss and fragmentation. These changes in often attributed to a diverse suite of factors including prolonged increasingly severe droughts, conifer expansion, anthropogenic development, domestic feral livestock grazing, invasion exotic annual grasses, which promotes increased wildfire frequency severity. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter,...
Phenotypic measurements (e.g., body mass, metabolic rate) made at one point in time are often assumed to represent other times. However, if traits not repeatable over time, inferences about ecological, environmental, or correlates of the trait could be misleading. We found that evaporative water loss, oxygen consumption, resting rate, and their residuals from mass were significantly (intraclass correlations generally >0.6) Merriam's kangaroo rats (Dipodomys merriami). Nevertheless, our data,...
Abstract: Relatively little is known about the response of grassland rodent populations to urban and suburban edges. We live‐trapped rodents for three summers on 65 3.1‐ha plots open space city Boulder, Colorado, compared capture rates among species according habitat type, percentage 40 ha surrounding each plot that was suburbanized, proximity a edge. Deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) hispid pocket Chaetodipus hispidus were more abundant interior than edge in mixed grasslands, whereas...
The Pinyon Jay is a highly social, year-round inhabitant of pinyon-juniper and other coniferous woodlands in the western United States. Range-wide, Jays have declined ~ 3–4% per year for at least last half-century. Occurrence patterns habitat use not been well characterized across much species’ range, obtaining this information necessary better understanding causes ongoing declines determining useful conservation strategies. Additionally, it important to understand if how targeted removal...
We examined the impact of season and habitat on Sin Nombre virus (SNV) seroprevalence in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) Utah's Great Basin Desert from May 2002 through summer 2003. Low mouse captures limited analysis for that year. In two seasons during 2003, density sagebrush cover were positively linked (spring: r = 0.8, P 0.01; summer: 0.04). spring, was negatively correlated with (r -0.9, P< 0.01); male female antibody prevalence did not differ; scarring unrelated to status. summer,...
Over the last several decades, feral cats have moved from fringes to mainstream in animal welfare and sheltering. Although many best practice guidelines been published by national non-profits veterinary bodies, little is known about how groups “in trenches” actually operate. Our study sought address that gap through an online survey of cat care advocacy organizations based United States. Advertised as “The State Mewnion,” its topics included a range issues spanning non-profit administration,...
Abstract Accurate information about the number of cats living outdoors and how they respond to different kinds management are necessary quell debates outdoor cat policy. The DC Cat Count will develop tools methodologies needed realize this possibility make them available for broader use. This three-year initiative represents a major collaboration between animal welfare organizations wildlife scientists. Its unique innovative approach is use best scientific methods quantify all subpopulations...
Many researchers have speculated that infection dynamics of Sin Nombre virus are driven by density patterns its major host, Peromyscus maniculatus. Few, if any, studies examined this question systematically at a realistically large spatial scale, however. We collected data from 159 independent field sites within 1 million-hectare study area in Nevada and California, 1995-1998. In 1997, there was widespread substantial reduction host density. This did not reduce seroprevalence antibody to...
Abstract Water is a critical and limited resource, particularly in the arid West, but water availability projected to decline even while demand increases due growing human populations duration severity of drought. Mesic areas provide important resources for numerous wildlife species, including greater sage‐grouse ( Centrocercus urophasianus ; hereafter, sage‐grouse), an indicator health sagebrush ecosystems. Understanding how use these crucial necessary inform management conservation...