David A Eads, PhD (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
Data on deer mouse and vole plague vaccination and captures in central New Mexico, 2019-2021 Data on deer mouse and vole plague vaccination and captures in central New Mexico, 2019-2021
Our study was conducted from 2019-2021 in Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. We live trapped deer mice and two species of voles in Sherman traps, mostly at nighttime, from June-October 2019 and June-September 2020-2021. We marked each rodent with ear tags and a passive integrated transponder for permanent identification. We used an F1 antigen vaccine to vaccinate some individuals...
Data on Utah prairie dog body condition and reproductive success, Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016 Data on Utah prairie dog body condition and reproductive success, Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016
Data on body condition and reproduction of Utah prairie dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, June-August 2013-2016. Utah prairie dogs were live-trapped and sampled on 5 colonies. We recorded the age (juvenile/adult) and mass (nearest 5 grams) of each prairie dog and marked its ears and body with metal tags and passive integrated transponders, respectively, for permanent
Data on the efficacy of deltamethrin flea control with small rodents on prairie dog colonies in Montana and Utah, 2001-2004 Data on the efficacy of deltamethrin flea control with small rodents on prairie dog colonies in Montana and Utah, 2001-2004
Data on the efficacy of deltamethrin flea control with small rodents on prairie dog colonies in Montana and Utah, 2001-2004. Data were collected on 12 colonies of 3 prairie dog (PD) species at 5 sites in Montana and Utah. PD species included black-tailed PDs (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPDs), Utah PDs (C. parvidens, UPDs), and white-tailed PDs (C. leucurus, WTPDs). Sample sizes from 6 small...
Black-tailed prairie dog capture data from plots treated and not treated with oral plague vaccine from 2013-2017 in Montana Black-tailed prairie dog capture data from plots treated and not treated with oral plague vaccine from 2013-2017 in Montana
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data for use in estimating BTPD...
Black-tailed prairie dog movement and bait uptake data from 2013-2017 in Montana Black-tailed prairie dog movement and bait uptake data from 2013-2017 in Montana
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits, each containing Rhodamine B dye biomarker, were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide...
Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019) Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019)
Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019). Prairie dogs were live-trapped, anesthetized with isoflurane, and combed thoroughly for 30 or 45 seconds to remove and count fleas. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. Randomly selected prairie dog burrows were...
Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA
Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance on prairie dogs, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA, 2003-2005. Prairie dog species (PDspecies in the data file) included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah...
Data on the Efficacy of Five Pulicides as Tools for Suppressing Fleas on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, South Dakota, 2015-2017 Data on the Efficacy of Five Pulicides as Tools for Suppressing Fleas on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, South Dakota, 2015-2017
Data on the efficacy of 5 pulicides as tools for suppressing fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs in Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2015-2017. Fleas were collected from live-trapped prairie dogs on non-treated (CONTROL) sites and nearby sites treated with pulicides for flea control. Data are from 3 prairie dog colonies (South Exclosure, Cutbank, and Big Foot). We tested the...
Data on the Degree and Duration of Deltamethrin Flea Control on Prairie Dog Colonies in Montana, South Dakota, and Utah, USA Data on the Degree and Duration of Deltamethrin Flea Control on Prairie Dog Colonies in Montana, South Dakota, and Utah, USA
Data on the degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control on prairie dog colonies, with 3 prairie dog species at 6 sites across 3 US states. Fleas were combed (COMB) from live-trapped prairie dogs or swabbed (SWAB) from prairie dog burrows on non-treated (Non) sites and nearby sites treated with deltamethrin dust for flea control (Dusted). Each line of data is from an individual...
Data on finite population change for 3 species of prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005 Data on finite population change for 3 species of prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005
Data on annual population change for prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005. Prairie dog species included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah. Field research was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort...
Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with "FipBit" fipronil pellets, South Dakota, 2018-2020 Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with "FipBit" fipronil pellets, South Dakota, 2018-2020
Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with "FipBit" fipronil pellets. We sampled prairie dogs at Conata Basin, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA. We sampled fleas from live-trapped prairie dogs during June-October 2018, May-October 2019, and July-August 2020. Prairie dogs were...
Data on the effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on black-tailed prairie dog ectoparasites, South Dakota, USA, 2018-2019 Data on the effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on black-tailed prairie dog ectoparasites, South Dakota, USA, 2018-2019
Data were collected to investigate effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on ectoparasites from black-tailed prairie dogs in South Dakota, USA. In late-July 2018, we treated 3 sites with 0.05 percent deltamethrin dust and 5 sites with host-fed 0.005 percent fipronil grain. Three non-treated sites functioned as experimental baselines. We collected ectoparasites before treatments (June-July...
Filter Total Items: 38
One Health in action: Flea control and interpretative education at Badlands National Park One Health in action: Flea control and interpretative education at Badlands National Park
One Health involves interdisciplinary collaboration to improve, protect, and preserve the health of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems, and advocates for unified approaches to One Health challenges (Buttke et al. 2015). Here, we focus on a One Health challenge of nearly global distribution: Yersinia pestis, the flea-borne bacterial agent of plague. The bacterium poses a significant risk to...
Authors
David Eads, Lindsey Buehler, Anne Esbenshade, Jason Fly, Evan Miller, Holly Redmond, Emily Ritter, Caitlyn Tynes, Sasha Wittmann, Paul Roghair, Eddie Childers
Exploring and mitigating plague for One Health purposes Exploring and mitigating plague for One Health purposes
Purpose of Review In 2020, the Appropriations Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives directed the CDC to develop a national One Health framework to combat zoonotic diseases, including sylvatic plague, which is caused by the flea-borne bacterium Yersinia pestis. This review builds upon that multisectoral objective. We aim to increase awareness of Y. pestis and to highlight...
Authors
David Eads, Dean Biggins, Jeffrey Wimsatt, Rebecca J. Eisen, B. Hinnebusch, Marc Matchett, Amanda R. Goldberg, Travis Livieri, Gregory Hacker, Mark Novak, Danielle Buttke, Shaun Grassel, John Hughes-Clarke, Linda Atiku
Assembling a safe and effective toolbox for integrated flea control and plague mitigation: Fipronil experiments with prairie dogs Assembling a safe and effective toolbox for integrated flea control and plague mitigation: Fipronil experiments with prairie dogs
Background Plague, a widely distributed zoonotic disease of mammalian hosts and flea vectors, poses a significant risk to ecosystems throughout much of Earth. Conservation biologists use insecticides for flea control and plague mitigation. Here, we evaluate the use of an insecticide grain bait, laced with 0.005% fipronil (FIP) by weight, with black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPDs, Cynomys...
Authors
David Eads, Travis Livieri, Tyler Tretten, John Hughes, Nick Kaczor, Emily Halsell, Shaun Grassel, Phillip Dobesh, Eddie Childers, David Lucas, Lauren Noble, Michele Vasquez, Anna Grady, Dean Biggins
Plague circulation in small mammals elevates extinction risk for the endangered Peñasco least chipmunk Plague circulation in small mammals elevates extinction risk for the endangered Peñasco least chipmunk
Wildlife diseases are a major concern for species survival around the world. Vector-borne diseases, in particular, are problematic for both humans and wildlife. Plague is an introduced disease to North America where many species have low natural resistance to infection by the causative bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Plague in the United States is often associated with large-scale epizootic...
Authors
Amanda R. Goldberg, David Eads, Dean Biggins
Reevaluation of the role of blocked Oropsylla hirsuta prairie dog fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) in Yersinia pestis (Enterobacterales: Enterobacteriaceae) transmission Reevaluation of the role of blocked Oropsylla hirsuta prairie dog fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) in Yersinia pestis (Enterobacterales: Enterobacteriaceae) transmission
Prairie dogs in the western United States experience periodic epizootics of plague, caused by the flea-borne bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis. An early study indicated that Oropsylla hirsuta (Baker), often the most abundant prairie dog flea vector of plague, seldom transmits Y. pestis by the classic blocked flea mechanism. More recently, an alternative early-phase mode of transmission...
Authors
Adelaide Miarinjara, David Eads, David Bland, Marc Matchett, Dean Biggins, B. Hinnebusch
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine does not adequately protect prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) for endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) conservation Oral sylvatic plague vaccine does not adequately protect prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) for endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) conservation
The plague bacterium Yersinia pestis is lethal to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes, BFF) and the prairie dogs (Cynomys spp., PD) on which they depend for habitat and prey. We assessed the effectiveness of an oral sylvatic plague vaccine delivered in baits to black-tailed PD (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPD) from 2013 to 2017 on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge...
Authors
Marc Matchett, Thomas Stanley, Matthew McCollister, David Eads, Jesse Boulerice, Dean Biggins
Comparison of flea sampling methods and Yersinia pestis detection on prairie dog colonies Comparison of flea sampling methods and Yersinia pestis detection on prairie dog colonies
Scientists collect fleas (Siphonaptera) to survey for Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague. When studying fleas parasitizing prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), two primary methods are used: (1) combing fleas from live-trapped prairie dogs and (2) swabbing fleas from burrows with cloth swabs attached to metal cables. Ideally, burrow swabbing, the cheaper and easier method, would...
Authors
David Eads, Marc Matchett, Julia Poje, Dean Biggins
Utah prairie dog population dynamics on the Awapa Plateau: Precipitation, elevation, and plague Utah prairie dog population dynamics on the Awapa Plateau: Precipitation, elevation, and plague
Utah prairie dogs (UPDs, Cynomys parvidens) are colonial, herbivorous rodents listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened. Little is known about UPD population dynamics at higher elevations in the species’ range. From 2013 through 2016, we studied UPDs on five colonies at 2,645 to 2,873 m elevation on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA. Primary production increases with precipitation...
Authors
David Eads, Dean Biggins
Insect pathogenic fungi for biocontrol of plague vector fleas: A review Insect pathogenic fungi for biocontrol of plague vector fleas: A review
Bubonic plague is a lethal bacterial disease of great historical importance. The plague organism, Yersinia pestis, is primarily transmitted by fleas (Siphonaptera). In natural settings, where its range expands, Y. pestis resides in association with wild rodents and their fleas (sylvatic plague). While chemical insecticides are used against plague vector fleas, biological approaches have...
Authors
David Eads, Stefan Jaronski, Dean Biggins, Jeffrey Wimsatt
Improving evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore management and conservation: Evaluating fladry to protect an endangered species from a generalist mesocarnivore Improving evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore management and conservation: Evaluating fladry to protect an endangered species from a generalist mesocarnivore
Carnivore conservation and management are global research priorities focused on reversing population declines of imperiled species and identifying more effective and humane management of generalist carnivores with thriving populations. Nonlethal methods to mitigate conflict are increasingly used to advance conservation objectives; however, there is limited knowledge about the...
Authors
Rebecca Windell, Larissa L. Bailey, Julie Young, Travis Livieri, David Eads, Stewart Breck
Plague transforms positive effects of precipitation on prairie dogs to negative effects Plague transforms positive effects of precipitation on prairie dogs to negative effects
Rodents characteristically benefit from increased precipitation, especially in typically dry habitats; “good years” of high precipitation improve their forage and water balance. However, Yersinia pestis (plague), a flea-borne pathogen of mammals that was introduced to western North America, has the greatest negative impact on at least some species of rodents during years of above-average
Authors
Dean Biggins, David Eads, Jerry Godbey
Fipronil pellets reduce flea abundance on black-tailed prairie dogs: Potential tool for plague management and black-footed ferret conservation Fipronil pellets reduce flea abundance on black-tailed prairie dogs: Potential tool for plague management and black-footed ferret conservation
In western North America, sylvatic plague (a flea-borne disease) poses a significant risk to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their primary prey, prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Pulicides (flea-killing agents) can be used to suppress fleas and thereby manage plague. In South Dakota, US, we tested edible “FipBit” pellets, each containing 0.84 mg fipronil, on free-living...
Authors
David Eads, Travis Livieri, Phillip Dobesh, Eddie Childers, Lauren Noble, Michele Vasquez, Dean Biggins
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
Data on deer mouse and vole plague vaccination and captures in central New Mexico, 2019-2021 Data on deer mouse and vole plague vaccination and captures in central New Mexico, 2019-2021
Our study was conducted from 2019-2021 in Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. We live trapped deer mice and two species of voles in Sherman traps, mostly at nighttime, from June-October 2019 and June-September 2020-2021. We marked each rodent with ear tags and a passive integrated transponder for permanent identification. We used an F1 antigen vaccine to vaccinate some individuals...
Data on Utah prairie dog body condition and reproductive success, Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016 Data on Utah prairie dog body condition and reproductive success, Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016
Data on body condition and reproduction of Utah prairie dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, June-August 2013-2016. Utah prairie dogs were live-trapped and sampled on 5 colonies. We recorded the age (juvenile/adult) and mass (nearest 5 grams) of each prairie dog and marked its ears and body with metal tags and passive integrated transponders, respectively, for permanent
Data on the efficacy of deltamethrin flea control with small rodents on prairie dog colonies in Montana and Utah, 2001-2004 Data on the efficacy of deltamethrin flea control with small rodents on prairie dog colonies in Montana and Utah, 2001-2004
Data on the efficacy of deltamethrin flea control with small rodents on prairie dog colonies in Montana and Utah, 2001-2004. Data were collected on 12 colonies of 3 prairie dog (PD) species at 5 sites in Montana and Utah. PD species included black-tailed PDs (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPDs), Utah PDs (C. parvidens, UPDs), and white-tailed PDs (C. leucurus, WTPDs). Sample sizes from 6 small...
Black-tailed prairie dog capture data from plots treated and not treated with oral plague vaccine from 2013-2017 in Montana Black-tailed prairie dog capture data from plots treated and not treated with oral plague vaccine from 2013-2017 in Montana
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data for use in estimating BTPD...
Black-tailed prairie dog movement and bait uptake data from 2013-2017 in Montana Black-tailed prairie dog movement and bait uptake data from 2013-2017 in Montana
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits, each containing Rhodamine B dye biomarker, were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide...
Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019) Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019)
Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019). Prairie dogs were live-trapped, anesthetized with isoflurane, and combed thoroughly for 30 or 45 seconds to remove and count fleas. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. Randomly selected prairie dog burrows were...
Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA
Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance on prairie dogs, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA, 2003-2005. Prairie dog species (PDspecies in the data file) included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah...
Data on the Efficacy of Five Pulicides as Tools for Suppressing Fleas on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, South Dakota, 2015-2017 Data on the Efficacy of Five Pulicides as Tools for Suppressing Fleas on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, South Dakota, 2015-2017
Data on the efficacy of 5 pulicides as tools for suppressing fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs in Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2015-2017. Fleas were collected from live-trapped prairie dogs on non-treated (CONTROL) sites and nearby sites treated with pulicides for flea control. Data are from 3 prairie dog colonies (South Exclosure, Cutbank, and Big Foot). We tested the...
Data on the Degree and Duration of Deltamethrin Flea Control on Prairie Dog Colonies in Montana, South Dakota, and Utah, USA Data on the Degree and Duration of Deltamethrin Flea Control on Prairie Dog Colonies in Montana, South Dakota, and Utah, USA
Data on the degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control on prairie dog colonies, with 3 prairie dog species at 6 sites across 3 US states. Fleas were combed (COMB) from live-trapped prairie dogs or swabbed (SWAB) from prairie dog burrows on non-treated (Non) sites and nearby sites treated with deltamethrin dust for flea control (Dusted). Each line of data is from an individual...
Data on finite population change for 3 species of prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005 Data on finite population change for 3 species of prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005
Data on annual population change for prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005. Prairie dog species included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah. Field research was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort...
Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with "FipBit" fipronil pellets, South Dakota, 2018-2020 Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with "FipBit" fipronil pellets, South Dakota, 2018-2020
Flea abundance and body condition data for black-tailed prairie dogs on sites treated and not treated with "FipBit" fipronil pellets. We sampled prairie dogs at Conata Basin, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA. We sampled fleas from live-trapped prairie dogs during June-October 2018, May-October 2019, and July-August 2020. Prairie dogs were...
Data on the effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on black-tailed prairie dog ectoparasites, South Dakota, USA, 2018-2019 Data on the effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on black-tailed prairie dog ectoparasites, South Dakota, USA, 2018-2019
Data were collected to investigate effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on ectoparasites from black-tailed prairie dogs in South Dakota, USA. In late-July 2018, we treated 3 sites with 0.05 percent deltamethrin dust and 5 sites with host-fed 0.005 percent fipronil grain. Three non-treated sites functioned as experimental baselines. We collected ectoparasites before treatments (June-July...
Filter Total Items: 38
One Health in action: Flea control and interpretative education at Badlands National Park One Health in action: Flea control and interpretative education at Badlands National Park
One Health involves interdisciplinary collaboration to improve, protect, and preserve the health of humans, wildlife, and ecosystems, and advocates for unified approaches to One Health challenges (Buttke et al. 2015). Here, we focus on a One Health challenge of nearly global distribution: Yersinia pestis, the flea-borne bacterial agent of plague. The bacterium poses a significant risk to...
Authors
David Eads, Lindsey Buehler, Anne Esbenshade, Jason Fly, Evan Miller, Holly Redmond, Emily Ritter, Caitlyn Tynes, Sasha Wittmann, Paul Roghair, Eddie Childers
Exploring and mitigating plague for One Health purposes Exploring and mitigating plague for One Health purposes
Purpose of Review In 2020, the Appropriations Committee for the U.S. House of Representatives directed the CDC to develop a national One Health framework to combat zoonotic diseases, including sylvatic plague, which is caused by the flea-borne bacterium Yersinia pestis. This review builds upon that multisectoral objective. We aim to increase awareness of Y. pestis and to highlight...
Authors
David Eads, Dean Biggins, Jeffrey Wimsatt, Rebecca J. Eisen, B. Hinnebusch, Marc Matchett, Amanda R. Goldberg, Travis Livieri, Gregory Hacker, Mark Novak, Danielle Buttke, Shaun Grassel, John Hughes-Clarke, Linda Atiku
Assembling a safe and effective toolbox for integrated flea control and plague mitigation: Fipronil experiments with prairie dogs Assembling a safe and effective toolbox for integrated flea control and plague mitigation: Fipronil experiments with prairie dogs
Background Plague, a widely distributed zoonotic disease of mammalian hosts and flea vectors, poses a significant risk to ecosystems throughout much of Earth. Conservation biologists use insecticides for flea control and plague mitigation. Here, we evaluate the use of an insecticide grain bait, laced with 0.005% fipronil (FIP) by weight, with black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPDs, Cynomys...
Authors
David Eads, Travis Livieri, Tyler Tretten, John Hughes, Nick Kaczor, Emily Halsell, Shaun Grassel, Phillip Dobesh, Eddie Childers, David Lucas, Lauren Noble, Michele Vasquez, Anna Grady, Dean Biggins
Plague circulation in small mammals elevates extinction risk for the endangered Peñasco least chipmunk Plague circulation in small mammals elevates extinction risk for the endangered Peñasco least chipmunk
Wildlife diseases are a major concern for species survival around the world. Vector-borne diseases, in particular, are problematic for both humans and wildlife. Plague is an introduced disease to North America where many species have low natural resistance to infection by the causative bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Plague in the United States is often associated with large-scale epizootic...
Authors
Amanda R. Goldberg, David Eads, Dean Biggins
Reevaluation of the role of blocked Oropsylla hirsuta prairie dog fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) in Yersinia pestis (Enterobacterales: Enterobacteriaceae) transmission Reevaluation of the role of blocked Oropsylla hirsuta prairie dog fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) in Yersinia pestis (Enterobacterales: Enterobacteriaceae) transmission
Prairie dogs in the western United States experience periodic epizootics of plague, caused by the flea-borne bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis. An early study indicated that Oropsylla hirsuta (Baker), often the most abundant prairie dog flea vector of plague, seldom transmits Y. pestis by the classic blocked flea mechanism. More recently, an alternative early-phase mode of transmission...
Authors
Adelaide Miarinjara, David Eads, David Bland, Marc Matchett, Dean Biggins, B. Hinnebusch
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine does not adequately protect prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) for endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) conservation Oral sylvatic plague vaccine does not adequately protect prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) for endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) conservation
The plague bacterium Yersinia pestis is lethal to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes, BFF) and the prairie dogs (Cynomys spp., PD) on which they depend for habitat and prey. We assessed the effectiveness of an oral sylvatic plague vaccine delivered in baits to black-tailed PD (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPD) from 2013 to 2017 on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge...
Authors
Marc Matchett, Thomas Stanley, Matthew McCollister, David Eads, Jesse Boulerice, Dean Biggins
Comparison of flea sampling methods and Yersinia pestis detection on prairie dog colonies Comparison of flea sampling methods and Yersinia pestis detection on prairie dog colonies
Scientists collect fleas (Siphonaptera) to survey for Yersinia pestis, the bacterial agent of plague. When studying fleas parasitizing prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), two primary methods are used: (1) combing fleas from live-trapped prairie dogs and (2) swabbing fleas from burrows with cloth swabs attached to metal cables. Ideally, burrow swabbing, the cheaper and easier method, would...
Authors
David Eads, Marc Matchett, Julia Poje, Dean Biggins
Utah prairie dog population dynamics on the Awapa Plateau: Precipitation, elevation, and plague Utah prairie dog population dynamics on the Awapa Plateau: Precipitation, elevation, and plague
Utah prairie dogs (UPDs, Cynomys parvidens) are colonial, herbivorous rodents listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened. Little is known about UPD population dynamics at higher elevations in the species’ range. From 2013 through 2016, we studied UPDs on five colonies at 2,645 to 2,873 m elevation on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA. Primary production increases with precipitation...
Authors
David Eads, Dean Biggins
Insect pathogenic fungi for biocontrol of plague vector fleas: A review Insect pathogenic fungi for biocontrol of plague vector fleas: A review
Bubonic plague is a lethal bacterial disease of great historical importance. The plague organism, Yersinia pestis, is primarily transmitted by fleas (Siphonaptera). In natural settings, where its range expands, Y. pestis resides in association with wild rodents and their fleas (sylvatic plague). While chemical insecticides are used against plague vector fleas, biological approaches have...
Authors
David Eads, Stefan Jaronski, Dean Biggins, Jeffrey Wimsatt
Improving evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore management and conservation: Evaluating fladry to protect an endangered species from a generalist mesocarnivore Improving evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore management and conservation: Evaluating fladry to protect an endangered species from a generalist mesocarnivore
Carnivore conservation and management are global research priorities focused on reversing population declines of imperiled species and identifying more effective and humane management of generalist carnivores with thriving populations. Nonlethal methods to mitigate conflict are increasingly used to advance conservation objectives; however, there is limited knowledge about the...
Authors
Rebecca Windell, Larissa L. Bailey, Julie Young, Travis Livieri, David Eads, Stewart Breck
Plague transforms positive effects of precipitation on prairie dogs to negative effects Plague transforms positive effects of precipitation on prairie dogs to negative effects
Rodents characteristically benefit from increased precipitation, especially in typically dry habitats; “good years” of high precipitation improve their forage and water balance. However, Yersinia pestis (plague), a flea-borne pathogen of mammals that was introduced to western North America, has the greatest negative impact on at least some species of rodents during years of above-average
Authors
Dean Biggins, David Eads, Jerry Godbey
Fipronil pellets reduce flea abundance on black-tailed prairie dogs: Potential tool for plague management and black-footed ferret conservation Fipronil pellets reduce flea abundance on black-tailed prairie dogs: Potential tool for plague management and black-footed ferret conservation
In western North America, sylvatic plague (a flea-borne disease) poses a significant risk to endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and their primary prey, prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Pulicides (flea-killing agents) can be used to suppress fleas and thereby manage plague. In South Dakota, US, we tested edible “FipBit” pellets, each containing 0.84 mg fipronil, on free-living...
Authors
David Eads, Travis Livieri, Phillip Dobesh, Eddie Childers, Lauren Noble, Michele Vasquez, Dean Biggins