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Parasites and immunogenetic diversity in prairie dogs

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dc.contributor.authorHarp, Elizabeth M., author
dc.contributor.authorAntolin, Michael F., advisor
dc.contributor.authorBallweber, Lora R., committee member
dc.contributor.authorHobbs, N. Thompson, committee member
dc.contributor.authorMcGrew, Ashley K., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2018-09-10T20:05:53Z
dc.date.available2020-09-06T20:04:15Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractPrairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) are an important component of North American grassland communities. Prairie dogs have been characterized as ecosystem engineers and keystone species because their extensive burrow systems alter ecosystem dynamics and provide homes for a variety of species. Prairie dog populations have declined dramatically over the past century as a result of eradication programs, habitat loss, and introduced plague. This research explores factors related to host-parasite ecology and immunogenetics of prairie dogs. The second chapter is a systematic review of parasites recorded from all five prairie dog species. The third chapter characterizes genetic diversity and investigates selection at the hyperdiverse MHC DRB locus in black-tailed prairie dogs. The fourth chapter uses multimodel inference to investigate host and environmental factors affecting flea aggregation on black-tailed prairie dogs. I found host-parasite records documenting at least 104 parasites species from prairie dogs. Over 2/3 of parasite species were ectoparasites, primarily fleas. Most endoparasites were protozoa. Bacteria and viruses are essentially undescribed from prairie dogs. Potentially related to the diversity of parasites they are exposed to, the DRB gene in black-tailed prairie dogs was characterized by high levels of diversity. I also found considerable evidence for contemporary directional selection and historical balancing selection acting on the DRB gene in black-tailed prairie dogs. However, I found only weak evidence for a relationship between DRB genotype and flea parasitism in black-tailed prairie dogs. Primary drivers of flea aggregation on black-tailed prairie dogs, identified by multimodel inference of generalized linear models, were host sex and month of capture. Males were more heavily parasitized than females, and flea loads are greatest in September and lowest in June.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierHarp_colostate_0053A_15094.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/191488
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectMHC
dc.subjectcynomys
dc.subjectparasite
dc.titleParasites and immunogenetic diversity in prairie dogs
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2020-09-06
dcterms.embargo.terms2020-09-06
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEcology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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