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Raccoon and Skunk Population Models for Urban Disease Control Planning in Ontario, Canada

2001; Wiley; Volume: 11; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3061074

1939-5582

Jim D. Broadfoot, Richard C. Rosatte, David T. O'Leary,

Human-Animal Interaction Studies

Ecological ApplicationsVolume 11, Issue 1 p. 295-303 Article RACCOON AND SKUNK POPULATION MODELS FOR URBAN DISEASE CONTROL PLANNING IN ONTARIO, CANADA Jim D. Broadfoot, Jim D. Broadfoot Broadfoot Consulting, R.R. No.1, Midland, Ontario, Canada L4R 4K3 E-mail: jbroadfo@barint.on.caSearch for more papers by this authorRichard C. Rosatte, Richard C. Rosatte Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Rabies Research Unit, Trent University, Science Complex, P.O. Box 4840, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9F 8N8Search for more papers by this authorDavid T. O'Leary, David T. O'Leary Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Rabies Research Unit, Trent University, Science Complex, P.O. Box 4840, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9F 8N8 Present address: 308 Primrose Lane, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada L3Y 5Y9.Search for more papers by this author Jim D. Broadfoot, Jim D. Broadfoot Broadfoot Consulting, R.R. No.1, Midland, Ontario, Canada L4R 4K3 E-mail: jbroadfo@barint.on.caSearch for more papers by this authorRichard C. Rosatte, Richard C. Rosatte Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Rabies Research Unit, Trent University, Science Complex, P.O. Box 4840, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9F 8N8Search for more papers by this authorDavid T. O'Leary, David T. O'Leary Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Rabies Research Unit, Trent University, Science Complex, P.O. Box 4840, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9F 8N8 Present address: 308 Primrose Lane, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada L3Y 5Y9.Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 February 2001 https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2001)011[0295:RASPMF]2.0.CO;2Citations: 47 Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Population data on raccoon (Procyon lotor) and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), collected between 1987 and 1996 in the city of Scarborough (Ontario, Canada), were used to develop spatially explicit population models for use in disease control planning. The objective of model development was to: (1) provide a standard analytical method to identify areas of high-density raccoon and skunk subpopulations within cities, and (2) to identify those subpopulations predicted to function as sites of high dispersal (either into or out of subpopulations). These areas could be targeted in disease control programs. The models combined landscape map data with a stochastic, age-structured population model, which incorporated habitat-specific demographic data and functions relating to animal dispersal. Using this approach, the assemblage of raccoons and skunks inhabiting Scarborough was modeled as occupying discrete subpopulations linked by dispersal (i.e., a metapopulation). The landscape data used in this study were derived from classified LANDSAT satellite imagery data. Population data were derived from the literature and from trapping data collected within the Scarborough study area. The resulting models depicted metapopulations containing 7432 ± 1529 raccoons (mean ± 1 sd) distributed throughout eight subpopulations, and 533 ± 125 skunks distributed throughout 10 subpopulations. Raccoon density within subpopulations ranged from 37 to 94 animals/km2. Skunk density within subpopulations ranged from 6.4 to 12.6 animals/km2. Five raccoon subpopulations and one skunk subpopulation were predicted to stabilize at high relative population densities (>125% carrying capacity), implying that these subpopulations were functioning as net importers of dispersing animals. As such, these subpopulations were at higher risk of being sites of rabies outbreaks than surrounding subpopulations, owing to their high population densities and greater likelihood of receiving infected individuals. In contrast, one raccoon subpopulation stabilized at low relative population density and therefore appeared to be functioning as a net exporter of dispersing animals. The disease control implications of these findings are discussed. Citing Literature Volume11, Issue1February 2001Pages 295-303 RelatedInformation