Meeting Abstract

7.6  Tuesday, Jan. 4  The Interplay of Plant and Animal Disease in a Changing Landscape: The Role of Sudden Aspen Decline in Moderating Sin Nombre Virus Prevalence in Natural Deer Mouse Populations LEHMER, EM*; KORB, J ; MCLEAN, N; GHACHU, J; HART, L; DONNELAN, S; HILEMAN, S; WRIGHT, K; O’BRIEN, C; MCCARTHY, A; JONES, Z; HERRING, E; BOMBACCI, S; Fort Lewis College lehmer_e@fortlewis.edu

The objective of our research was to measure differences in Sin Nombre Virus (SNV) prevalence in deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) populations that have experienced significant levels of habitat disturbance by Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD). Briefly, we compared SNV prevalence in deer mouse populations located in aspen forests experiencing varying levels of SAD (low = 0-20%, moderate = 20-60%, and high = 60% +). For each SAD intensity, we determined the composition of the small mammal community, as well as SNV prevalence in the deer mouse community sampled on each site. Results of this preliminary study were striking; SNV prevalence on high SAD sites was roughly triple that of low and moderate SAD sites (33% prevalence versus 9% and 12%, respectively; F = 6.02, P < 0.01). In addition, we also found that the composition of the small mammal community differed by SAD intensity, with high SAD sites having significantly higher densities of deer mice compared to low and moderate SAD sites (F = 4.27, P = 0.03). Conversely, low and moderate SAD sites had higher densities of montane voles (Microtus montanus) compared to high SAD sites (F = 5.29, P = 0.02). Because montane voles are not hosts for SNV, their dominance on low and moderate SAD sites could be essentially “diluting” the SNV reservoir, precluding high levels of SNV prevalence on these sites. Results of this study will provide much needed information how natural habitat disturbance alters prevalence of zoonotic disease in natural host populations.