26th Annual Student Research Conference
Modeling the Activity of Adult A. americanum in Northeast Missouri
Priya F. Maillacheruvu*, Kyle S. Smith, and Andrew K. Gibson
Dr. Hyun-Joo Kim and Dr. Stephanie Fore, Faculty Mentors
Many environmental factors are likely to influence the activity of Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick). A previous statistical model has been developed for the activity of larval ticks in northeast Missouri. Currently, we are modeling abiotic factors that best describe the activity of adult A. americanum in this region. Ticks were sampled off-host from two locations in Adair County between 2007 and 2011. We selected negative binomial as the best fit model and are presently analyzing six abiotic factors to compare the 63 possible models using various selection criteria. We then hope to compare the the adult and larvae models to determine whether a relationship exists between activity and life stage. Because A. americanum is a significant vector of various pathogens, modeling the activity of this tick is useful in understanding certain disease dynamics.
Keywords: Amblyomma americanum, lone star tick, modeling, negative binomial regression
Topic(s):Biology
Statistics
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 403-3
Location: MG 2001
Time: 3:00