An invasive disease, sylvatic plague, increases fragmentation of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies
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- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release: - Plague causes fragmentation of prairie dog colonies in Conata Basin, South Dakota from 1993 – 2015
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
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Abstract
Context
A disease can be a source of disturbance, causing population declines or extirpations, altering species interactions, and affecting habitat structure. This is particularly relevant for diseases that affect keystone species or ecosystem engineers, leading to potentially cascading effects on ecosystems.
Objective
We investigated the invasion of a non-native disease, plague, to a keystone species, prairie dogs, and documented the resulting extent of fragmentation and habitat loss in western grasslands. Specifically, we assessed how the arrival of plague in the Conata Basin, South Dakota, United States, affected the size, shape, and aggregation of prairie dog colonies, an animal species known to be highly susceptible to plague.
Methods
Colonies in the prairie dog complex were mapped every 1 to 3 years from 1993 to 2015. Plague was first confirmed in 2008 and we compared prairie dog complex and colony characteristics before and after the arrival of plague.
Results
As expected the colony complex and the patches in colonies became smaller and more fragmented after the arrival of plague; the total area of each colony and the mean area per patch within a colony decreased, the number of patches per colony increased, and mean contiguity of each patch decreased, leading to habitat fragmentation.
Conclusion
We demonstrate how an emerging infectious disease can act as a source of disturbance to natural systems and lead to potentially permanent alteration of habitat characteristics. While perhaps not traditionally thought of as a source of ecosystem disturbances, in recent years emerging infectious diseases have shown to be able to have large effects on ecosystems if they affect keystone species.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | An invasive disease, sylvatic plague, increases fragmentation of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies |
| Series title | PLoS ONE |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pone.0235907 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Publication Date | July 23, 2020 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science |
| Contributing office(s) | National Wildlife Health Center |
| Description | e0235907, 15 p.; Data release |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| Other Geospatial | Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Conata Basin |