scholarly journals Ecological Niche Modeling of Francisella tularensis Subspecies and Clades in the United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 912-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Nakazawa ◽  
Kiersten J. Kugeler ◽  
Richard A. J. Williams ◽  
Paul S. Mead ◽  
A. Townsend Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Francisella Tularensis ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
The United States ◽  
Niche Modeling

scholarly journals Ecological niche modeling the potential geographic distribution of four Culicoides species of veterinary significance in Florida

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin E. Sloyer ◽  
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena ◽  
Anni Yang ◽  
Joseph L. Corn ◽  
Stacey L. Vigil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
The United States ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Vector Model ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Animal Hosts

AbstractEpizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral arthropod-borne disease affecting wild and domestic ruminants. EHD virus (EHDV) is transmitted to vertebrate animal hosts by biting midges in the genus Culicoides. Culicoides sonorensis Latreille is the only confirmed vector of EHDV in the United States but is considered rare in Florida and not sufficiently abundant to support EHDV transmission. This study used ecological niche modeling to map the potential geographical distributions and associated ecological variable space of four Culicoides species suspected of transmitting EHDV in Florida, including Culicoides insignis, Culicoides stellifer, Culicoides debilipalpis and Culicoides venustus. Models were developed with the Genetic Algorithm for Rule Set Production in DesktopGARP v1.1.3 using species occurrence data from field sampling along with environmental variables from WorldClim and Trypanosomiasis and Land use in Africa. For three Culicoides species (C. insignis, C. stellifer and C. debilipalpis) 96 – 98% of the presence points were predicted across the Florida landscape (63.77% – 72.53%). For C. venustus, models predicted 98.00% of presence points across 27.42% of Florida. Geographic variations were detected between species. Culicoides insignis was predicted to be restricted to peninsular Florida, and in contrast, C. venustus was predicted to be primarily in north Florida and the panhandle region. Culicoides stellifer and C. debilipalpis were predicted nearly statewide. Environmental conditions also differed by species, with some species’ ranges predicted by more narrow ranges of variables than others. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was a major predictor of C. venustus and C. insignis presence. For C. stellifer, Land Surface Temperature, Middle Infrared were the most limiting predictors of presence. The limiting variables for C. debilipalpis were NDVI Bi-Annual Amplitude and NDVI Annual Amplitude at 22.45% and 28.09%, respectively. The model outputs, including maps and environmental variable range predictions generated from these experiments provide an important first pass at predicting species of veterinary importance in Florida. Because EHDV cannot exist in the environment without the vector, model outputs can be used to estimate the potential risk of disease for animal hosts across Florida. Results also provide distribution and habitat information useful for integrated pest management practices.

scholarly journals Analysis and modeling of Blastomyces dermatitidis environmental prevalence in Minnesota using soil collected to compare basal and outbreak levels

2020 ◽  
pp. AEM.01922-20
Author(s):  
Katrina M. Jackson ◽  
Keith C. Pelletier ◽  
Joni Scheftel ◽  
Joshua D. Kerkaert ◽  
Serina L. Robinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
The United States ◽  
Blastomyces Dermatitidis ◽  
Site Classification ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Culture Independent

Outbreaks of blastomycosis, caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, occur in endemic areas of the United States and Canada but the geographic range of blastomycosis is expanding. Previous studies inferred the location of B. dermatitidis through epidemiologic data associated with outbreaks because culture of B. dermatitidis from the environment is often unsuccessful. In this study, we used a culture-independent, PCR-based method to identify B. dermatitidis DNA in environmental samples using the BAD1 promoter region. We tested 250 environmental samples collected in Minnesota, either associated with blastomycosis outbreaks or environmental samples collected from high- and low-endemic regions to determine basal prevalence of B. dermatitidis in the environment. We identified a fifth BAD1 promoter haplotype of B. dermatitidis prevalent in Minnesota. Ecological niche analysis identified latitude, longitude, elevation, and site classification as environmental parameters associated with the presence of B. dermatitidis. Using this analysis, a Random Forest model predicted B. dermatitidis presence in basal environmental samples with 75% accuracy. These data support use of culture-independent, PCR-based environmental sampling to track spread into new regions and to characterize the unknown B. dermatitidis environmental niche.Importance Upon inhalation of spores from the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis from the environment, humans and animals can develop the disease blastomycosis. Based on disease epidemiology, B. dermatitidis is known to be endemic in the United States and Canada around the Great Lakes and in the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys but is starting to emerge in other areas. B. dermatitidis is extremely difficult to culture from the environment so little is known about the environmental reservoirs for this pathogen. We used a culture-independent PCR-based assay to identify the presence of B. dermatitidis DNA in soil samples from Minnesota. By combining molecular data with ecological niche modeling, we were able to predict the presence of B. dermatitidis in environmental samples with 75% accuracy and to define characteristics of the B. dermatitidis environmental niche. Importantly, we showed the effectiveness of using a PCR-based assay to identify B. dermatitidis in environmental samples.

The Biology of Invasive Alien Plants in Canada. 11. Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., T. chinensis Lour. and hybrids

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lindgren ◽  
C. Pearce ◽  
K. Allison
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Invasion Biology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Tamarix Ramosissima ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant

These Tamarix species and their hybrids, known collectively as saltcedar, are perennial small trees or shrubs native to Eurasia, and were among the Tamarix species introduced to the United States in 1800s as ornamentals, for plantings in windbreaks, and to stabilize eroding stream banks. They have since escaped and become damaging invasive plants in large areas of the western and Great Plains regions of the United States. They are able to reproduce vigorously by both seed and vegetative propagation, and are persistent and long-lived once established. Ecological problems include hydrologic impacts, displacement of native flora and fauna including endangered species, and excretion of salt, which increases soil salinity. Economic impacts include costs associated with control as well as losses of irrigation and municipal water, flood control costs, and loss of recreational opportunities. Invaded habitats include floodplains, salt flats, marshes, reservoirs, stock watering ponds, and irrigation ditches. Saltcedar is difficult to control and almost impossible to eradicate once established. In 2007, naturalized saltcedar was found near Penticton and at Osoyoos Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It is also currently sold in several Canadian provinces as an ornamental. Ecological niche modelling indicates that large areas of the Canadian Prairies are susceptible to invasion. Hybridization, multiple intentional introductions through garden plantings, natural dispersal from populations in the northern United States, and climate warming will increase the risk and promote the spread of saltcedar in Canada. Key words: Saltcedar, Tamarix ramosissima, Tamarix chinensis, invasive alien plant, weed biology, invasion biology, ecological niche modeling

scholarly journals Potential Distribution of Chagas Disease Vectors (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae) in Colombia, Based on Ecological Niche Modeling

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Parra-Henao ◽  
Laura C. Suárez-Escudero ◽  
Sebastián González-Caro
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Sierra Nevada ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modeling ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Niche Modeling ◽  
Triatomine Species ◽  
Local Risk ◽  
And Control

Ecological niche modeling of Triatominae bugs allow us to establish the local risk of transmission of the parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi,which causes Chagas disease.This information could help to guide health authority recommendations on infection monitoring, prevention, and control. In this study, we estimated the geographic distribution of triatomine species in Colombia and identified the relationship between landscape structure and climatic factors influencing their occurrence. A total of 2451 records of 4 triatomine species (Panstrongylus geniculatus,Rhodnius pallescens,R. prolixus, andTriatoma maculata) were analyzed.The variables that provided more information to explain the ecologic niche of these vectors were related to precipitation, altitude, and temperature. We found that the species with the broadest potential geographic distribution wereP. geniculatus,R. pallescens, andR. prolixus. In general, the models predicted the highest occurrence probability of these vectors in the eastern slope of the Eastern Cordillera, the southern region of the Magdalena valley, and the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.

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