David A Eads, PhD
David Eads is an ecologist with the Fort Collins Science Center. David's research includes aspects of disease ecology, behavioral ecology, predator-prey relationships, and experimental biology.
Most investigations are motivated by applied conservation and efforts to recover federally listed species. Taxa of interest have included carnivores (for example, black-footed ferrets, badgers, coyotes), rodents (for example, prairie dogs, squirrels, mice), arthropods (for example, fleas, lice, ticks, mites), and bacteria (Yersinia pestis). Several ongoing projects concentrate on plague and its chronic effects on wildlife and ecosystems, and methods of effective plague mitigation.
Professional Experience
Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center (2019-Present)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Ecology, Colorado State University, 2014
M.S. Wildlife Sciences, University of Missouri, 2009
B.A. Psychology, Purdue University, 2007
Science and Products
Occurrence of plague epizootics in colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs, Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, 1982-2005
Evaluation of five pulicides to suppress fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs: Encouraging long-term results with systemic 0.005% fipronil
Plague management of prairie dog colonies: Degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control
Resistance to deltamethrin in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) fleas in the field and in the laboratory
Evolution, natural history, and conservation of black-footed ferrets
Grooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs are influenced by flea parasitism, conspecifics, and proximity to refuge
Plague cycles in two rodent species from China: Dry years might provide context for epizootics in wet years
Droughts may increase susceptibility of prairie dogs to fleas: Incongruity with hypothesized mechanisms of plague cycles in rodents
Factors that affect parasitism of black-tailed prairie dogs by fleas
Plague bacterium as a transformer species in prairie dogs and the grasslands of western North America
Nighttime aboveground movements by prairie dogs on colonies inhabited by black-footed ferrets
Science and Products
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Occurrence of plague epizootics in colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs, Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, 1982-2005
Data on the occurrence of plague epizootics in colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs, Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado 1982-2005. Data are derived from annual prairie dog surveys conducted by staff of the Pawnee National Grassland, U.S. Forest Service. The data includes information on the year of sampling, colony identification, UTM coordinates of colony centroids, weather (precipitation and te - Publications
Filter Total Items: 34
Evaluation of five pulicides to suppress fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs: Encouraging long-term results with systemic 0.005% fipronil
Plague, a flea-borne disease, hampers efforts to restore populations of black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), which occupy colonies of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in North America. Plague is managed by infusing prairie dog burrows with DeltaDust® 0.05% deltamethrin, a pulicide that kills fleas. Experiments are needed to identify pulicides that can be used in rotation with DeltaDust for integratAuthorsDavid Austin Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Kristina Broerman, Jonathan Bowser, Travis Livieri, Eddie Childers, Phillip Dobesh, Randall GriebelPlague management of prairie dog colonies: Degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control
Plague is a flea-borne disease of mammalian hosts. On the grasslands of western North America, plague stifles populations of Cynomys spp. prairie dogs (PDs). To manage plague, PD burrows are treated with 0.05% deltamethrin dust that can suppress flea numbers and plague transmission. Here, we evaluate the degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control with three PD species at six sites across fouAuthorsDavid Austin Eads, Dean E. BigginsResistance to deltamethrin in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) fleas in the field and in the laboratory
Sylvatic plague poses a substantial risk to black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and their obligate predator, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). The effects of plague on prairie dogs and ferrets are mitigated using a deltamethrin pulicide dust that reduces the spread of plague by killing fleas, the vector for the plague bacterium. In portions of Conata Basin, Buffalo Gap NatioAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Jonathan Bowser, Janet McAllister, Randall Griebel, Eddie Childers, Travis M. Livieri, Cristi Painter, Lindsey Sterling Krank, Kristy BlyEvolution, natural history, and conservation of black-footed ferrets
No abstract available.AuthorsDean E. Biggins, David A. EadsGrooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs are influenced by flea parasitism, conspecifics, and proximity to refuge
Grooming is a common animal behavior that aids in ectoparasite defense. Ectoparasites can stimulate grooming, and natural selection can also favor endogenous mechanisms that evoke periodic bouts of “programmed” grooming to dislodge or kill ectoparasites before they bite or feed. Moreover, grooming can function as a displacement or communication behavior. We compared the grooming behaviors of adultAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Samantha L. EadsPlague cycles in two rodent species from China: Dry years might provide context for epizootics in wet years
Plague, a rodent-associated, flea-borne zoonosis, is one of the most notorious diseases in history. Rates of plague transmission can increase when fleas are abundant. Fleas commonly desiccate and die when reared under dry conditions in laboratories, suggesting fleas will be suppressed during droughts in the wild, thus reducing the rate at which plague spreads among hosts. In contrast, fleas mightAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Lei Xu, Qiyong LiuDroughts may increase susceptibility of prairie dogs to fleas: Incongruity with hypothesized mechanisms of plague cycles in rodents
Plague is a reemerging, rodent-associated zoonosis caused by the flea-borne bacterium Yersinia pestis. As a vector-borne disease, rates of plague transmission may increase when fleas are abundant. Fleas are highly susceptible to desiccation under hot-dry conditions; we posited that their densities decline during droughts. We evaluated this hypothesis with black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Dustin H. Long, Kenneth L. Gage, Michael F. AntolinFactors that affect parasitism of black-tailed prairie dogs by fleas
Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are hematophagous ectoparasites that feed on vertebrate hosts. Fleas can reduce the fitness of hosts by interfering with immune responses, disrupting adaptive behaviors, and transmitting pathogens. The negative effects of fleas on hosts are usually most pronounced when fleas attain high densities. In lab studies, fleas desiccate and die under dry conditions, suggestinAuthorsDavid A. Eads, John L. HooglandPlague bacterium as a transformer species in prairie dogs and the grasslands of western North America
Invasive transformer species change the character, condition, form, or nature of ecosystems and deserve considerable attention from conservation scientists. We applied the transformer species concept to the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis in western North America, where the pathogen was introduced around 1900. Y. pestis transforms grassland ecosystems by severely depleting the abundance of prairiAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. BigginsNighttime aboveground movements by prairie dogs on colonies inhabited by black-footed ferrets
We describe observations of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) emerging aboveground at night, apparently in response to wild-born and captive-born black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in South Dakota and New Mexico, respectively. We also discuss other similar observations accumulated on black-tailed prairie dog colonies as well as observations of white-tailed prairie dogs (CynomysAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Jennifer G. Chipault, Dean E. Biggins, Travis M. Livieri, Joshua J. Millspaugh