Population Dynamics of the Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and Sin Nombre Virus, California Channel Islands

In North America, Sin Nombre virus (SNV) is the main cause of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe respiratory disease with a fatality rate of 35–40%. SNV is a zoonotic pathogen carried by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and few studies have been performed examining its transmission in deer mouse populations. Studying SNV and other hantaviruses can be difficult due to the need to propagate the virus in vivo for subsequent experiments. We show that when compared with standard intramuscular infection, the intraperitoneal infection of deer mice can be as effective in producing SNV stocks with a high viral RNA copy number, and this method of infection provides a more reproducible infection model. Furthermore, the age and sex of the infected deer mice have little effect on viral replication and shedding. We also describe a reliable model of direct experimental SNV transmission. We examined the transmission of SNV between deer mice and found that direct contact between deer mice is the main driver of SNV transmission rather than exposure to contaminated excreta/secreta, which is thought to be the main driver of transmission of the virus to humans. Furthermore, increases in heat shock responses or testosterone levels in SNV-infected deer mice do not increase the replication, shedding, or rate of transmission. Here, we have demonstrated a model for the transmission of SNV between deer mice, the natural rodent reservoir for the virus. The use of this model will have important implications for further examining SNV transmission and in developing strategies for the prevention of SNV infection in deer mouse populations.

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Reproduction and denning by urban and rural San Clemente Island foxes (Urocyon littoralis clementae)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z11-070 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 89 (10) ◽

pp. 976-984 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

N.P. Gould ◽

W.F. Andelt

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Human Disturbance ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Channel Islands ◽

California Channel Islands ◽

Urocyon Littoralis ◽

Urban And Rural Areas ◽

Insight Into ◽

San Clemente Island

Island foxes ( Urocyon littoralis (Baird, 1858)) have experienced severe reductions in populations on 4 out of 6 California Channel Islands. Although numbers of foxes on San Clemente Island (SCLI; Urocyon littoralis clementae Merriam, 1903) have remained relatively stable, data on reproductive success in urban and rural areas are necessary to better understand population dynamics of foxes and manage the population if it sustains declines. Determining locations and characteristics of den sites will also assist in minimizing possible impacts of humans on foxes. We found that 10 female foxes produced at least 19 kits during 2008. Female foxes that spent a greater proportion of time within an urban area had greater probability of reproducing compared with foxes that infrequently utilized urban areas. However, these “urban” foxes often selected den sites nearer to roads, which may expose them to increased mortalities. We located 23 den sites on a mean of 17°–18° slopes with 40% having westerly facing aspects. We recommend avoiding human disturbance to these areas from February through June, which may minimize potential impacts on foxes. Our study should provide insight into managing island foxes, especially in respect to urban areas on other Channel Islands.

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Population Dynamics of Deer Mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Yellow-pine Chipmunks, Tamias amoenus, in Old Field and Orchard Habitats

The Canadian Field-Naturalist ◽

10.22621/cfn.v118i3.7 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 118 (3) ◽

pp. 299 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thomas P. Sullivan ◽

Druscilla S. Sullivan ◽

Eugene J. Hogue

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽

Deer Mouse ◽

Detailed Comparison ◽

Rodent Species ◽

Deer Mice ◽

Old Field ◽

Tamias Amoenus ◽

Yellow Pine ◽

Mammal Communities

There are often several rodent species included in the small mammal communities in orchard agro-ecosystems. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the population levels of Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and Yellow-pine Chipmunks (Tamias amoenus) would be enhanced in old field compared with orchard habitats. Rodent populations were intensively livetrapped in replicate old field and orchard sites over a four-year period at Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Deer Mouse populations were, on average, significantly higher (2.5 – 3.4 times) in the old field than orchard sites in summer and winter periods. Mean numbers/ha of Deer Mice ranged from 12.1 to 60.4 in old field sites and from 3.3 to 19.9 in orchard sites. Breeding seasons in orchards were significantly longer than those in old field sites, in terms of proportion of reproductive male Deer Mice. Recruitment of new animals and early juvenile survival of Deer Mice were similar in orchard and old field sites. Populations of Yellow-pine Chipmunks ranged in mean abundance/ha from 5.6 – 19.0 in old field sites and from 1.9 – 17.5 on one orchard site, with no difference in mean abundance in 2 of 4 years of the study. Recruitment and mean survival of Yellow-pine Chipmunks also followed this pattern. This study is the first detailed comparison of the population dynamics of these rodent species in old field and orchard habitats. These species should be able to maintain their population levels and help contribute to a diversity of small mammals in this agrarian landscape.

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PREDICTION OF PEROMYSCUS MANICULATUS (DEER MOUSE) POPULATION DYNAMICS IN MONTANA, USA, USING SATELLITE-DRIVEN VEGETATION PRODUCTIVITY AND WEATHER DATA

Journal of Wildlife Diseases ◽

10.7589/0090-3558-48.2.348 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 348-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Rachel A. Loehman ◽

Joran Elias ◽

Richard J. Douglass ◽

Amy J. Kuenzi ◽

James N. Mills ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽

Deer Mouse ◽

Weather Data ◽

Vegetation Productivity ◽

Mouse Population

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Phylogeography of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) provides a predictive framework for research on hantaviruses

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.81576-0 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 87 (7) ◽

pp. 1997-2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Jerry W. Dragoo ◽

J. Alden Lackey ◽

Kathryn E. Moore ◽

Enrique P. Lessa ◽

Joseph A. Cook ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Disease Transmission ◽

Peromyscus Maniculatus ◽

Deer Mouse ◽

Deer Mice ◽

Sin Nombre Virus ◽

Rodent Host ◽

Bayesian Analyses ◽

Future Studies ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Virus Strains

Phylogeographical partitioning of Sin Nombre and Monongahela viruses (hantaviruses) may reflect that of their primary rodent host, the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Lack of a comprehensive assessment of phylogeographical variation of the host has precluded the possibility of predicting spatial limits of existing strains of these viruses or geographical regions where novel viral strains might emerge. The complete cytochrome b gene was sequenced for 206 deer mice collected from sites throughout North America to provide a foundation for future studies of spatial structure and evolution of this ubiquitous host. Bayesian analyses of these sequences partitioned deer mice into six largely allopatric lineages, some of which may represent unrecognized species. The geographical distributions of these lineages were probably shaped by Quaternary climatic events. Populations of mice were apparently restricted to refugia during glacial advances, where they experienced genetic divergence. Expansion of these populations, following climatic amelioration, brought genetically distinctive forms into contact. Occurrence of parallel changes in virus strains can now be explored in appropriate regions. In New Mexico, for example, near the location where Sin Nombre virus was first discovered, there are three genetically distinctive lineages of deer mice whose geographical ranges need to be delineated precisely. The phylogeography of P. maniculatus provides a framework for interpreting geographical variability, not only in hosts, but also in associated viral variants and disease transmission, and an opportunity to predict the potential geographical distribution of newly emerging viral strains.

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