Spatial dynamics of mammals and their pathogens and parasites

Abstract

In this dissertation, I explore several aspects of the ecological dynamics of mammals and their pathogens and parasites. I approach this broad topic at various scales, using Ecological Niche Models, field surveys, and theoretical simulations. I focus on two pathogens, hantavirus and plague (Yersinia pestis), and a group of parasites, fleas, and address their spatial and ecological relationships. Each of the four chapters presents a set of questions and tests hypotheses regarding the distribution of these taxa. I begin by demonstrating that plague-infected host distributions are not similar to the non-infected host distributions, suggesting that vector ecology may drive the distribution of plague in the western United States. I then show that hantavirus prevalence and flea communities are not mediated by mammalian communities across a contiguous landscape, and flea communities differ with increasing elevation. Finally, I show that re-appearance of hantavirus after a decline in host populations likely is not driven by metapopulation dynamics.