Genealogical Relationships Influence the Probability of Infection with Bovine Tuberculosis and Microgeographic Genetic Structure in Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer

Authors

Julie Anne Blanchong

Date of this Version

2003

Comments

A dissertation submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Abstract

Zoonoses are of increasing importance to wildlife conservation and human health. It has become increasingly recognized that wildlife ecology plays a key role in disease transmission in wildlife populations. In domestic populations, contacts among individuals are controlled by humans and disease transmission is often density dependent. Unlike domestic animals, wildlife populations often have complex social systems in whch contacts among individuals are not solely density dependent, and can play an important role in the transmission and maintenance of disease.