Course Description
The world is experiencing tremendous changes that have ramifications for numerous diseases. Investigation of the effects of climate change, habitat loss, and other factors on the transmission of infectious and vector-borne diseases that impact wildlife or use wildlife as reservoirs. Discussion of some of the most common vectors and their associated diseases, as well as the effects on wildlife populations. Intervention strategies, management applications, and the successes and failures of previous wildlife disease and mortality responses.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be responsible for generating a management and research action plan in response to a vector-borne pathogen with population-level effects on wildlife. The plan will entail the following:
1) Background and justification for the vector and pathogen(s) of interest
2) The wildlife host population(s) at risk for the vector and pathogen
3) Previous research and literature examining the chosen topics
4) Current research and methodology
5) Explanation of how, where, and when research will be conducted to assess the impacts of the vector, pathogens, and effect on wildlife
6) Information on what collaborators/agencies/personnel will need to be involved
7) Expected outcomes, pitfalls, and alternative strategies
Athena Title
Diseases in Changing World
Prerequisite
[(BIOL 1103 or BIOL 1103E or BIOL 2103H or PBIO 1210) and BIOL 1103L] or [(BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H) and BIOL 1107L]
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students that successfully complete this course should be able to: 1. Understand the distinctions between various vectors and vector-borne pathogens. 2. Gain knowledge about pathogens with consequences to wildlife health and their associated vectors. 3. Understand the factors that initiate and support the transmission and spread of vector-borne pathogens. 4. Identify and assess the effects of climate-driven variables and anthropogenic change on the status of vector-borne pathogens. 5. Provide a taxonomic and morphological background on vectors in the southeastern United States.
Topical Outline
Tentative Lecture and Exam Schedule LECTURE READING/ASSIGNMENT/QUIZ Course Introduction, Syllabus Review, Questions Complete personal bio and questions, Read Rizzoli et al. 2019 (on eLC) Introduction to vectors, VBDs, and terminology Reading: Parasite Rex, chapters 1-4 Effects of Arthropods on humans, domestic animals, and wildlife Dilution Effect Case Study Effects of Arthropods on humans, domestic animals, and wildlife (cont.), Morphological adaptations Discussion of Management plan project/paper Morphological Adaptations of Parasitic Arthropods Grad student presentations (Ryan and Seth) Class via ZOOM Read Webster, Borlase, and Rudge 2016 (on eLC) (Remote class-access via zoom) Morphological Adaptations of Parasitic Arthropods Quiz 1 Book discussion (Parasite Rex) Epi and Research pt. 1 and Transmission dynamics Epi and Research pt. 1 and Transmission dynamics Vector Incrimination case studies Research Management Action plan discussion and Review Review for Exam Exam 1 Management plan/paper topic write-up due (draft 1) Introduction to flying insects (dipterans, hemipterans, and filth flies… oh my) Biology and ecology of Mosquitoes Guest Lecture: Dr. Melanie Kunkel: West Nile Virus and upland game birds Mosquito borne pathogens, climate, and wildlife Mosquitoes Sandflies, midges (Mini-lab) Sandflies, midges Culicoides and Hemorrhagic disease (guest lecture - Dr. Mark G Ruder) Quiz 2 and book discussion (Parasite Rex) Mini-lab Black flies Black flies-Tsetse flies Management plan write-up due (draft 2) Screwworm and flesh flies Read Montgomery et al. 2016 (eLC) Hemipterans and Chagas case study Exam 2 Biology, ecology, and behavior of ticks (pt. 1) The new tick on the block (guest lecture - Mr. Alec Thompson) Biology, ecology, and behavior of ticks (pt. 2) Tick borne pathogens Fleas, plague, and pestilence and book discussion (Parasite Rex) Lice and associated pathogens Mites and associated pathogens Climate change and vector-borne pathogens Exam 3 Final Management plan/Paper due turned in during class Research Management Action Plan-presentations via ZOOM online Research Management Action Plan-presentations via ZOOM online Research Management Action Plan-presentations via ZOOM online Research Management Action Plan-presentations via ZOOM online Final Exam