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SUMMARY:**PhD Seminar** Factors affecting the abundance and dispersion of f
 leas in prairie dog colonies: implications for transmission and persistenc
 e of Yersinia pestis
LOCATION:Yates 206
TZID:America/Denver
DTSTART:20140201T000000
UID:2026-05-13-06-50-19@natsci.colostate.edu
DTSTAMP:20260513T065019
Description:Plague is a rodent-associated zoonosis caused by the primarily 
 flea-borne bacterium Yersinia pestis.  Over half the rodent species of co
 nservation concern in the United States occur within the range of plague.Â
   Protection of many of those species may rely on effective management of 
 this invasive disease.  Rates of plague transmission are thought to posit
 ively correlate with flea abundance\, suggesting utility in studying facto
 rs that affect the abundance and dispersion of fleas.  In this presentati
 on\, I describe research on fleas in colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs
  (Cynomys ludovicianus) during 2010-2012 in New Mexico.  In general\, our
  results demonstrate that the abundance of adult fleas may vary depending 
 on edaphic factors (soil texture and moisture)\, the ages of prairie dog c
 olonies\, and weather variables (unexpectedly\, fleas were most abundant d
 uring 2011\, the driest spring-summer on record for New Mexico).  Plague 
 poses an important challenge to conservationists\, but we must attempt to 
 gain a more complete understanding of its effects on ecosystems and develo
 p tools for its control.  Our research could be considered when distribut
 ing insecticides or vaccines in colonies of black-tailed prairie dogs\, in
 cluding colonies occupied by endangered black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigr
 ipes).  4:00 pm
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