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Plague causes major ecological disruptions in grassland ecosystems and has contributed to population declines and near extinction of several species, including Utah prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets. Researchers will use genetic analyses to understand the relationships between prairie dogs, small rodent species, fleas and the bacteria that causes plague. Discovering which species of rodents and fleas maintain the bacteria in nature will elucidate better strategies for plague control in these populations. Understanding the ecology of plague in the United States will allow scientists and wildlife managers to be better informed about how plague affects wild animal populations. This study will benefit many species, including prairie dogs and the endangered black-footed ferret, whose recovery programs are constrained by the occurrence of plague in the western United States.

Study ID
D14ZO-044
Study Status
Complete
Start Date
10/01/2014
Grant amount awarded
$113,808
Grant recipient
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Study country
United States
Investigator
Jorge E. Osorio, DVM, PhD
Study category
Infectious Disease