Ecology and persistence of sylvatic plague in Phillips County, Montana

Brian E. Holmes, M.S. Thesis, Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT; completed December, 2003.

The primary goal of Brian's research was to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms by which plague is maintained in the small mammal populations in Phillips County. This was accomplished by live trapping both prairie dogs and other small mammals that potentially come into contact with prairie dogs and gathering blood and flea samples from these species. Plague evaluations were made in conjunction with the CDC Plague branch in Fort Collins, Colorado.

A complete description of his research can be found in his thesis in the Mansfield Library at The University of Montana.

This project was supported by The University of Montana and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with additional funding from the World Wildlife Fund, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the Bureau of Land Management, and The Nature Conservancy.

Contact Brian E. Holmes: bholmes@tfn.net