Looking north and thinking ahead: Understanding the range expansion of vector-borne pathogens in cervids
Berkley, Lauren
Berkley, Lauren
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Abstract
Vector-borne diseases pose a threat to wildlife as arthropod vectors migrate northward, exposing naïve species to new pathogens. The blood parasites Babesia odocoilei, Theileria cervi, and Plasmodium odocoilei pose risks to northern cervids including moose and caribou. We investigated the distribution of these pathogens in New England white-tailed deer and moose. Through collaboration with state wildlife agencies, we collected tissue samples (N=577) and analyzed them using PCR. B. odocoilei and P. odocoilei were found to be distributed across the region at low levels, while T. cervi was found within the range of its vector at a relatively high prevalence (44.9%).
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Graduate
Date
2024-01-01