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Michael D Samuel

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In 2013, a large blinded, paired placebo-controlled field trial for the prairie dog oral sylvatic plague vaccine started in the Western US. On 17 paired plots, vaccine and placebo plots, small rodents were trapped annually for 3-5 consecutive nights (when weather allowed). Up on capture, we documented the trap numbers and the processed animals. We noted standard biological information (species, sex, age) and took samples (fleas, blood, hair and whiskers). When logistics allowed we also trapped diurnal animals. Hair and whisker samples were taped to a transparent sheet and scored for the presence (high dose 1, low dose 2) or absence (0) of Rhodamine B fluorescence (RB dataset)
Abstract (from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.13005/abstract): Isolation of the Hawaiian archipelago produced a highly endemic and unique avifauna. Avian malaria ( Plasmodium relictum), an introduced mosquito-borne pathogen, is a primary cause of extinctions and declines of these endemic honeycreepers. Our research assesses how global climate change will affect future malaria risk and native bird populations. We used an epidemiological model to evaluate future bird–mosquito–malaria dynamics in response to alternative climate projections from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. Climate changes during the second half of the century accelerate malaria transmission and cause a dramatic decline...
ISLAND OF HAWAI‘I, Hawaii — Hawai‘i, the name alone elicits images of rhythmic traditional dancing, breathtaking azure sea coasts and scenes of vibrant birds flitting through lush jungle canopy. Unfortunately, the future of many native Hawaiian birds looks grim as diseases carried by mosquitoes are due to expand into higher elevation safe zones. A new study published in Global Change Biology, by researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, assesses how global climate change will affect future malaria risk to native Hawaiian bird populations in the coming century. Read More in the USGS Press Release: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=4270#.Vjo2436rSUl
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This data set provides the simulated results of releasing malaria-resistant Iiwi into existing populations of wild birds on the Island of Hawaii. Resistant birds are released into mid- and high-elevation forests at different densities at 10-year intervals from 2030 to 2070. Populations of both malaria-resistant and susceptible Iiwi are then predicted at 10-year intervals from release until 2100. Predictions are made based on 3 different climate change projections: A1B, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5. The goal of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of creating a successful population of Iiwi when faced with higher malaria infection predicted as a result of climate change. The model results presented here build upon two...
The Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s most imperiled forest birds. Introduction of mosquitoes and vector-borne avian malaria are important factors in the historic decline and extinction of many endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers which are particularly susceptible to avian malaria. We used a model of forest birds, mosquitoes, and avian malaria to evaluate future impacts of avian malaria on these Hawaiian birds as a result of climate change. As climate warms during the 21st Century temperatures will favor increased mosquito populations and much higher transmission of malaria to endangered honeycreepers existing in high-elevation forests. We conclude that without significant intervention many native Hawaiian...
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