scholarly journals Host Associations of Culex (Melanoconion) atratus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex (Melanoconion) pilosus from Florida, USA

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence E. Reeves ◽  
Isaiah Hoyer ◽  
Carolina Acevedo ◽  
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
Host Use ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Mammalian Blood ◽  
Southeastern Coastal Plain ◽  
Southern Florida ◽  
Invasive Exotic ◽  
Blood Meals ◽  
Host Associations

Characterizing the host-use patterns of mosquitoes is an essential component of understanding the transmission dynamics of mosquito-vectored pathogens. The host associations of two species of the medically important Culex subgenus Melanoconion, Culex atratus, and Culex pilosus are unknown or unclear, respectively. Both species have wide neotropical distributions. In the United States of America (USA), Culex pilosus occurs throughout the southeastern coastal plain, while Culex atratus is restricted to the southern Florida Peninsula. Using PCR-based blood meal analysis, we investigated the host associations of Culex atratus and Culex pilosus that were collected from Everglades National Park, Florida, USA We identified the host species of 208 Culex atratus and 168 Culex pilosus. Both species were narrowly associated with reptilian host species, particularly native and non-native lizards of the genus Anolis. Sampled Culex atratus exclusively fed on reptilian hosts, with >99% of blood meals derived from Anolis lizards. Culex pilosus fed predominantly from reptiles, but avian and mammalian blood meals were also detected. Of these, 92% of blood meals were derived from Anolis species. For both species, Anolis sagrei, an invasive exotic lizard in Florida, was the most frequently detected host species. These data indicate that Culex atratus and Culex pilosus are specialists of reptilian hosts, particularly Anolis lizards.

Nutrient-Use Patterns in Nursery Crops

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 557a-557
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Rose ◽  
Barbara Biernacka
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Woody Ornamentals ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Nutrient Demand ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Fertilizer Recommendations ◽  
Retention Characteristics ◽  
Practical Constraints

Long-standing fertilizer recommendations for field-grown nursery and landscape ornamentals are based on maximizing growth, not nutrient efficiency. Further, these recommendations fall short because of failure to consider 1) the extent of crop nutrient removal, 2) varying nutrient retention characteristics of soils across the United States, and 3) a body of research that suggests that woody ornamentals have a limited response to fertilization under most soil conditions. Concern for the environmental impact of fertilization justifies a reevaluation of current nursery fertilization practices, as well a discussion of the practical constraints on the adoption of new approaches, e.g., nutrient demand-driven fertilization. Research on the nutrient use patterns of woody plants will be reviewed with emphasis on implications for increasing fertilization efficiency. OSU research on water availability and nutrient-use interactions also will be presented.

scholarly journals Understanding mosquito host-choice behaviour: a new and low-cost method of identifying the sex of human hosts from mosquito blood meals

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Teltscher ◽  
Sophie Bouvaine ◽  
Gabriella Gibson ◽  
Paul Dyer ◽  
Jennifer Guest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Meal ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Host Choice ◽  
Epidemiological Models ◽  
Choice Behaviour ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Transmission Models ◽  
Blood Meals

Abstract Background Mosquito-borne diseases are a global health problem, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths per year. Pathogens are transmitted by mosquitoes feeding on the blood of an infected host and then feeding on a new host. Monitoring mosquito host-choice behaviour can help in many aspects of vector-borne disease control. Currently, it is possible to determine the host species and an individual human host from the blood meal of a mosquito by using genotyping to match the blood profile of local inhabitants. Epidemiological models generally assume that mosquito biting behaviour is random; however, numerous studies have shown that certain characteristics, e.g. genetic makeup and skin microbiota, make some individuals more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Analysing blood meals and illuminating host-choice behaviour will help re-evaluate and optimise disease transmission models. Methods We describe a new blood meal assay that identifies the sex of the person that a mosquito has bitten. The amelogenin locus (AMEL), a sex marker located on both X and Y chromosomes, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction in DNA extracted from blood-fed Aedes aegypti and Anopheles coluzzii. Results AMEL could be successfully amplified up to 24 h after a blood meal in 100% of An. coluzzii and 96.6% of Ae. aegypti, revealing the sex of humans that were fed on by individual mosquitoes. Conclusions The method described here, developed using mosquitoes fed on volunteers, can be applied to field-caught mosquitoes to determine the host species and the biological sex of human hosts on which they have blood fed. Two important vector species were tested successfully in our laboratory experiments, demonstrating the potential of this technique to improve epidemiological models of vector-borne diseases. This viable and low-cost approach has the capacity to improve our understanding of vector-borne disease transmission, specifically gender differences in exposure and attractiveness to mosquitoes. The data gathered from field studies using our method can be used to shape new transmission models and aid in the implementation of more effective and targeted vector control strategies by enabling a better understanding of the drivers of vector-host interactions.

scholarly journals Invasive Burmese pythons alter host use and virus infection in the vector of a zoonotic virus

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena ◽  
Erik M. Blosser ◽  
Anne A. Loggins ◽  
Monica C. Valente ◽  
Maureen T. Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Dilution Effect ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Host Use ◽  
Invasive Predator ◽  
Cotton Rats ◽  
Generalized Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Python Bivittatus ◽  
Southern Florida

AbstractThe composition of wildlife communities can have strong effects on transmission of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, with more diverse communities often supporting lower infection prevalence in vectors (dilution effect). The introduced Burmese python, Python bivittatus, is eliminating large and medium-sized mammals throughout southern Florida, USA, impacting local communities and the ecology of zoonotic pathogens. We investigated invasive predator-mediated impacts on ecology of Everglades virus (EVEV), a zoonotic pathogen endemic to Florida that circulates in mosquito-rodent cycle. Using binomial generalized linear mixed effects models of field data at areas of high and low python densities, we show that increasing diversity of dilution host (non-rodent mammals) is associated with decreasing blood meals on amplifying hosts (cotton rats), and that increasing cotton rat host use is associated with increasing EVEV infection in vector mosquitoes. The Burmese python has caused a dramatic decrease in mammal diversity in southern Florida, which has shifted vector host use towards EVEV amplifying hosts (rodents), resulting in an indirect increase in EVEV infection prevalence in vector mosquitoes, putatively elevating human transmission risk. Our results indicate that an invasive predator can impact wildlife communities in ways that indirectly affect human health, highlighting the need for conserving biological diversity and natural communities.

Antidepressant use patterns in the naturalistic setting: Evidence from the United States

1997 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 84S
Author(s):  
T.R. Hylan ◽  
W.H. Crown ◽  
L. Meneades ◽  
C. Melfi ◽  
T.W. Croghan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Naturalistic Setting ◽  
Antidepressant Use

scholarly journals Carios kelleyi (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) Infected With Rickettsial Agents Documented Infesting Housing in Kansas, United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn M Nadolny ◽  
Ashley C Kennedy ◽  
James M Rodgers ◽  
Zachary T Vincent ◽  
Hannah Cornman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Health Center ◽  
Human Disease ◽  
Multilocus Sequence Typing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rickettsia Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Blood Meals

Abstract During September–December 2018, 25 live ticks were collected on-post at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in a home with a history of bat occupancy. Nine ticks were sent to the Army Public Health Center Tick-Borne Disease Laboratory and were identified as Carios kelleyi (Cooley and Kohls, 1941), a species that seldom bites humans but that may search for other sources of blood meals, including humans, when bats are removed from human dwellings. The ticks were tested for numerous agents of human disease. Rickettsia lusitaniae was identified by multilocus sequence typing to be present in two ticks, marking the first detection of this Rickettsia agent in the United States and in this species of tick. Two other Rickettsia spp. were also detected, including an endosymbiont previously associated with C. kelleyi and a possible novel Rickettsia species. The potential roles of C. kelleyi and bats in peridomestic Rickettsia transmission cycles warrant further investigation.

Bicycle Helmet Use Patterns Among Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory B. Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Helmet Use ◽  
Use Patterns

Objective. To describe and evaluate the helmet use patterns of children younger than 15 years of age in the United States. Methods. A national telephone survey of bicycle riders was conducted by means of the Mitofsky-Waksberg method of random-digit dialing, a survey method intended to give all telephone numbers in the continental United States an equal probability of selection. Based on information collected in the survey, a logistic regression model was used to determine and quantify the factors associated with helmet use. Results. Information was collected on the bicycle and helmet use patterns of a national sample of 399 children younger than 15 years of age who rode bicycles during the year preceding the survey. This sample projects to the approximately 26.4 million children who are estimated to have ridden bicycles in 1991. About 26% of all child riders owned or had the use of bicycle helmets, and about 15% were reported to have used their helmets all or more than half of the time when riding. Information is provided on the reasons the children did or did not wear helmets. The logistic regression analysis shows that helmet use by children is systematically related to their personal characteristics (eg, age and whether they had previously had bicycle-related accidents requiring medical attention), riding patterns (eg, riding surface), and household demographic characteristics (eg, geographic location and whether household members had attended college). Conclusions. Helmet use rates among children remain low. Less than one fifth of the children who rode bicycles wore helmets all or more than half of the time in 1991. However, based on comparisons with earlier studies, the results of the analysis suggest that helmet use rates have been rising.

Diversity and distribution of the superfamily Grylloidea (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Gryllidea) in the Nearctic region

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5040 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-288
Author(s):  
XIN ZHAO ◽  
DANDAN FENG ◽  
YUNTAO LI ◽  
HAOYU LIU
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Asymmetric Distribution ◽  
Arctic Zone ◽  
Southeastern Coastal Plain ◽  
Regional Similarity ◽  
Nearctic Region

Based on the geographic distribution database of the Orthoptera Species File, the diversity and distribution of the superfamily Grylloidea in the Nearctic region was studied using the statistics and Sorensen dissimilarity coefficient. A total of 164 species or subspecies belonging to 4 families, 9 subfamilies and 27 genera were recorded from this region; among which Gryllidae (93, 56.70%), followed by Trigonidiidae (44, 26.83%), Mogoplistidae (25, 15.24%), and Phalangopsidae (2, 1.22%). The diversity exhibits an asymmetric distribution pattern, with the southeastern coastal plain, the Interior Plateau and Piedmont of the United States was the most abundant. At the same time, the regional similarity of species distribution was analyzed, and the Nearctic was divided into four subregions: Boreal & Arctic zone of North America, Eastern temperate North America, Northeast temperate North America, and Southern North America & western temperate North America.  

scholarly journals Host Associations Of Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae: Culicoides) Near Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Locations In Florida, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin E. Sloyer ◽  
Carolina Acevedo ◽  
Alfred E. Runkel ◽  
Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena
Keyword(s):  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Host Use ◽  
Culicoides Species ◽  
Biting Midges ◽  
Total Blood ◽  
Avian Blood ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Arbovirus Surveillance ◽  
Blood Meals

ABSTRACT Quantifying host use is important for understanding transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Despite the importance of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in pathogen transmission, the vector–host relationships of most Culicoides species are poorly documented, even in locations where active arbovirus surveillance is conducted. Polymerase chain reaction–based blood-meal analysis was performed on 663 blood-engorged Culicoides females collected by 7 Florida mosquito control districts at 24 sentinel chicken arbovirus surveillance sites in 2017. A total of 638 blood meals were successfully analyzed to determine host species source, representing 11 Culicoides species. The most commonly bitten host was domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) (presumably sentinel chickens), constituting 565 of 638 (88.6%) the total blood meals. Other common hosts included humans (5.8%), white-tailed deer (Odoocoileus virginianus) (2.5%), and brown basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) (1.6%). Significant differences in distribution of mammal and avian blood meals were found for a number of Culicoides species, and these patterns did not vary across locations. These results indicate that sentinel chickens are exposed to bites by Culicoides, potentially exposing them to Culicoides-borne pathogens. The findings that vertebrate host use was consistent across locations suggests that each Culicoides species has affinity for one or more specific animal groups, and does not feed randomly upon available animals.

scholarly journals Association of the invasive Haemaphysalis longicornis tick with vertebrate hosts, other native tick vectors, and tick-borne pathogens in New York City

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle M. Tufts ◽  
Laura B. Goodman ◽  
Meghan C. Benedict ◽  
April D. Davis ◽  
Meredith C. VanAcker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Vector Potential ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Invasive Pest ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Tick Vectors ◽  
Host Associations

AbstractHaemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick, is an invasive ixodid tick that has rapidly spread across the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States since first reported in 2017. The emergence of H. longicornis presents a potential threat for livestock, wildlife, and human health as the host associations and vector potential of this invasive pest in the United States are poorly understood. Previous field data from the United States has shown that H. longicornis was not associated with natural populations of small mammals or birds, but they show a preference for medium sized mammals in laboratory experiments. Therefore, medium and large sized mammals were sampled on Staten Island, New York to determine H. longicornis host associations and vector potential for a range of human and veterinary pathogens. A total of 97 hosts were sampled and five species of tick (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, H. longicornis, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes cookei) were found feeding concurrently on these hosts. Haemaphysalis longicornis was found in the highest proportions compared to other native tick species on raccoons (55.4%), Virginia opossums (28.9%), and white-tailed deer (11.5%). Tissue, blood, and engorged larvae were tested for 17 different pathogens using a nanoscale PCR platform. Infection with five pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Mycoplasma haemocanis, and Bartonella spp.) was detected in host samples, but no pathogens were found in any larval samples. These results suggest that although large and medium sized mammals feed large numbers of H. longicornis ticks in the environment there is presently a low potential for H. longicornis to acquire pathogens from these wildlife hosts.HighlightsH. longicornis were sampled from seven genera of large and medium-sized mammalsRaccoons, opossums, and white-tailed deer fed a large proportion of H. longicornisH. longicornis did not acquire pathogens through co-feeding with native tick vectorsHost species were infected with a range of pathogens of human and veterinary concernHost-derived H. longicornis engorged larvae were not infected with any pathogens

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