Although the role of host movement in shaping infectious disease dynamics is widely acknowledged, methodological separation between animal movement and disease ecology has prevented researchers from leveraging empirical insights from movement data to advance landscape-scale understanding of infectious disease risk. To address this knowledge gap, we examine how movement behavior and resource utilization by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) determine the distribution of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) which depend on this host for dispersal in a highly fragmented New York City borough. Multi-scale hierarchical resource selection analysis and movement modeling provide insight into how deer’s individual movements construct the risk landscape for human exposure to the Lyme disease zoonotic hazard – infected I. scapularis. We conclude the distribution of tick-borne disease risk is the result of individual resource selection by deer across spatial scales in response to habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances.

Vanacker, M.; Denicola, V.; Denicola, A.; Aucoin, S.G.; Simon, R.; Toal, K.; Diuk-Wasser, M.; Cagnacci, F. (2023). Resource selection by New York City deer reveals the effective interface between wildlife, zoonotic hazards and humans. ECOLOGY LETTERS, 26 (12): 2029-2042. doi: 10.1111/ele.14326 handle: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/83620

Resource selection by New York City deer reveals the effective interface between wildlife, zoonotic hazards and humans

Cagnacci, Francesca
Ultimo
2023-01-01

Abstract

Although the role of host movement in shaping infectious disease dynamics is widely acknowledged, methodological separation between animal movement and disease ecology has prevented researchers from leveraging empirical insights from movement data to advance landscape-scale understanding of infectious disease risk. To address this knowledge gap, we examine how movement behavior and resource utilization by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) determine the distribution of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) which depend on this host for dispersal in a highly fragmented New York City borough. Multi-scale hierarchical resource selection analysis and movement modeling provide insight into how deer’s individual movements construct the risk landscape for human exposure to the Lyme disease zoonotic hazard – infected I. scapularis. We conclude the distribution of tick-borne disease risk is the result of individual resource selection by deer across spatial scales in response to habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances.
Habitat selection
Host movement
Integrated step selection analysis
Ixodes scapularis
Lyme disease
Odocoileus virginianus
Spatial disease dynamics
Urban tick-borne disease
Urbanization
Vector amplification
Settore BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA
2023
Vanacker, M.; Denicola, V.; Denicola, A.; Aucoin, S.G.; Simon, R.; Toal, K.; Diuk-Wasser, M.; Cagnacci, F. (2023). Resource selection by New York City deer reveals the effective interface between wildlife, zoonotic hazards and humans. ECOLOGY LETTERS, 26 (12): 2029-2042. doi: 10.1111/ele.14326 handle: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/83620
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/83620
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