18th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
Effects of Forest Management on Small Mammal Community Structure and Hantavirus Seroprevalence in Northeast Missouri
Shawna A. Cooper♦
Dr. Scott Burt, Dr. Elisabeth A. Hooper, and Dr. Jon Beck, Faculty Mentors
Presence of seropositive rodents in Missouri forests warrants a better understanding of forest management effects on small mammal ecology and human disease potential. To assess these effects, duplicate clearcut, timberstand improvement (TSI), and “old growth” (OG) sites were sampled at Sugar Creek Conservation area in Northeast Missouri. Peromyscus leucopus captures were sacrificed and blood was collected for ELISA analysis. Establishment of age-classes and documentation of wounds/scars were used to assess behavioral effects. Data were also collected to document habitat characters possibly affecting seroprevalence. During summer 2004, 209 small mammals were captured; 90.4% were P. leucopus. Management affected species diversity as TSI produced only P. leucopus, while Blarina sp., Tamias striatus, Microtus ochrogaster, and P. leucopus were documented in clearcuts, and Blarina sp. and P. leucopus dominated OG. Preliminary analyses indicate age and sex differences across management types, however, these and ELISA analyses are not complete. Supported by Truman State University.
Keywords: Forest Management, Hantavirus, Missouri
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 55-4
Location: VH 1432
Time: 4:30