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
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 movement and bait uptake data from 2013-2017 in Montana
Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019)
Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA
Data on the Efficacy of Five Pulicides as Tools for Suppressing Fleas on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs, South Dakota, 2015-2017
Data on the Degree and Duration of Deltamethrin Flea Control on Prairie Dog Colonies in Montana, South Dakota, and Utah, USA
Data on finite population change for 3 species of prairie dogs in Montana and Utah, USA, 2000-2005
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
Data on the effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on black-tailed prairie dog ectoparasites, South Dakota, USA, 2018-2019
Data on deltamethrin resistance in Oropsylla hirsuta fleas from black-tailed prairie dogs in South Dakota, USA, 2014-2015
Data on Flea Parasitism and Annual Re-encounters of Utah Prairie Dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016
Grooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs in Phillips County, Montana, 2006
Oral sylvatic plague vaccine does not adequately protect prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) for endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) conservation
Comparison of flea sampling methods and Yersinia pestis detection on prairie dog colonies
Utah prairie dog population dynamics on the Awapa Plateau: Precipitation, elevation, and plague
Insect pathogenic fungi for biocontrol of plague vector fleas: A review
Improving evaluation of nonlethal tools for carnivore management and conservation: Evaluating fladry to protect an endangered species from a generalist mesocarnivore
Plague transforms positive effects of precipitation on prairie dogs to negative effects
Fipronil pellets reduce flea abundance on black-tailed prairie dogs: Potential tool for plague management and black-footed ferret conservation
Epizootic plague in prairie dogs: Correlates and control with deltamethrin
Ecology and management of plague in diverse communities of rodents and fleas
Managing plague on prairie dog colonies: Insecticides as ectoparasiticides
Flea parasitism and host survival in a plague-relevant system: Theoretical and conservation implications
Evaluation of five pulicides to suppress fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs: Encouraging long-term results with systemic 0.005% fipronil
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 25
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 survival.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 capture/recaptuMean 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 swabbed forData 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. Field researchData 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 followingData 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 prairie dog orData 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 Collins ScienFlea 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 sampled beforeData 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 2018) andData on deltamethrin resistance in Oropsylla hirsuta fleas from black-tailed prairie dogs in South Dakota, USA, 2014-2015
Data on deltamethrin resistance in Oropsylla hirsuta fleas from black-tailed prairie dogs in Conata Basin, Buffalo Gap National Grassland and Badlands National Park, South Dakota, 2014-2015. Two data files are available, one from "Mortality trials" and another from "recovery trials". The data from "Mortality trials" includes information on bioassays in which fleas were subjected to deltamethrin inData on Flea Parasitism and Annual Re-encounters of Utah Prairie Dogs at 5 colonies on the Awapa Plateau, Utah, USA, 2013-2016
Data on flea parasitism and annual re-encounters 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 along an elevation gradient from 2,645 m to 2,873 m. Upon first capture each year, we anesthetized each prairie dog and fleas on its body and combed the prairie dog as thoroughly as possible for 30Grooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs in Phillips County, Montana, 2006
Data on factors that affect the grooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs in Phillips County, Montana, 2006. Each line of data presents information for a focal observation of a single black-tailed prairie dog. The data includes information on the date of each observation, the approximate coordinates of sites, the time of each observation, indexed wind speed, indexed temperature, the presence - Publications
Filter Total Items: 33
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 (CMR) in nAuthorsMarc R. Matchett, Thomas Stanley, Matthew F. McCollister, David A. Eads, Jesse Boulerice, Dean E. BigginsComparison 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 explain flea buAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Marc R. Matchett, Julia Poje, Dean E. BigginsUtah 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 and preciAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. BigginsInsect 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 not been aAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Stefan Jaronski, Dean E. Biggins, Jeffrey WimsattImproving 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 effectiveness of manyAuthorsRebecca Windell, Larissa L. Bailey, Julie K. Young, Travis M. Livieri, David A. Eads, Stewart BreckPlague 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 precipitaAuthorsDean E. Biggins, David A. Eads, Jerry L. GodbeyFipronil 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 black-taiAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Travis M. Livieri, Phillip Dobesh, Eddie Childers, Lauren Noble, Michele Vasquez, Dean E. BigginsEpizootic plague in prairie dogs: Correlates and control with deltamethrin
The plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, is a generalist pathogen of flea (Siphonaptera) vectors and mammalian hosts. In colonies of prairie dogs (PDs, Cynomys spp.), Y. pestis causes occasional epizootics, killing ≥90% of PDs within weeks to several months. We evaluated the effectiveness of deltamethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, as a tool for preventing plague epizootics among three PD species. SpAuthorsDean E. Biggins, Jerry L. Godbey, David A. EadsEcology and management of plague in diverse communities of rodents and fleas
Plague originated in Asia as a flea-borne zoonosis of mammalian hosts. Today, the disease is distributed nearly worldwide. In western United States of America, plague is maintained, transmitted, and amplified in diverse communities of rodents and fleas. We examined flea diversity on three species of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp., PDs) and six species of sympatric small rodents in Montana and Utah, UnAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Kenneth L. GageManaging plague on prairie dog colonies: Insecticides as ectoparasiticides
Human health practitioners and wildlife biologists use insecticides to manage plague by suppressing fleas (Siphonaptera), but insecticides can also kill other ectoparasites. We investigated effects of deltamethrin and fipronil on ectoparasites from black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus, BTPDs). In late July, 2018, we treated three sites with 0.05% deltamethrin dust and 5 sites with host-AuthorsDavid A. Eads, Alexis Yashin, Lauren Nobel, Michele Vasquez, Miranda Huang, Travis M. Livieri, Phillip Dobesh, Eddie Childers, Dean E. BigginsFlea parasitism and host survival in a plague-relevant system: Theoretical and conservation implications
Plague is a bacterial zoonosis of mammalian hosts and flea vectors. The disease is capable of ravaging rodent populations and transforming ecosystems. Because plague mortality is likely to be predicted by flea parasitism, it is critical to understand vector dynamics. It has been hypothesized that paltry precipitation and reduced vegetative production predispose herbivorous rodents to malnourishmenAuthorsDavid A. Eads, Rachel C. Abbott, Dean E. Biggins, Tonie E. RockeEvaluation 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 Griebel