Judging Category
Basic or Experimental Research
Student Rank
Junior
College
Sciences and Mathematics
Faculty Sponsor
Andrew Sweet asweet@astate.edu
Description
In recent years, rapid climate change has altered species distributions worldwide and influenced parasite transmission dynamics in wildlife systems. Parasite infections play an important role in shaping patterns of disease distribution across species and populations. Understanding variation in infection prevalence across geographic regions and host demographic groups is essential for interpreting these patterns. Splendidofilaria pectoralis is a filarial nematode that infects the connective tissues of grouse (Aves: Tetraonini) in Alaska and has been moving northward as the climate warms. However, relatively little is known about the variation in prevalence of the nematode across geography and demography. This project examines variation in S. pectoralis infection prevalence across grouse and ptarmigan species, focusing on geographic region, host species, sex, and age-class differences. Tissue samples from hunter-harvested birds were screened using PCR amplification targeting parasite DNA to determine infection status. Infection prevalence was calculated by region and host demographic category. Preliminary analyses indicate differences in infection frequency among regions, with some northern sampling sites exhibiting higher detection rates. Observed variation among host species and age classes suggests that demographic and spatial factors may influence infection dynamics. Ongoing analyses aim to characterize these patterns further and evaluate potential drivers of infection variation in northern bird populations.
Disciplines
Biology | Evolution | Genetics | Life Sciences
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Garcia Valdez, Anahi and Martinez, Diego, "Variation in Infection Prevalence of Splendidofilaria pectoralis Across Alaskan Grouse Populations" (2026). Create@State. 9.
https://arch.astate.edu/evn-createstate/2026/posters/9
Included in
Variation in Infection Prevalence of Splendidofilaria pectoralis Across Alaskan Grouse Populations
In recent years, rapid climate change has altered species distributions worldwide and influenced parasite transmission dynamics in wildlife systems. Parasite infections play an important role in shaping patterns of disease distribution across species and populations. Understanding variation in infection prevalence across geographic regions and host demographic groups is essential for interpreting these patterns. Splendidofilaria pectoralis is a filarial nematode that infects the connective tissues of grouse (Aves: Tetraonini) in Alaska and has been moving northward as the climate warms. However, relatively little is known about the variation in prevalence of the nematode across geography and demography. This project examines variation in S. pectoralis infection prevalence across grouse and ptarmigan species, focusing on geographic region, host species, sex, and age-class differences. Tissue samples from hunter-harvested birds were screened using PCR amplification targeting parasite DNA to determine infection status. Infection prevalence was calculated by region and host demographic category. Preliminary analyses indicate differences in infection frequency among regions, with some northern sampling sites exhibiting higher detection rates. Observed variation among host species and age classes suggests that demographic and spatial factors may influence infection dynamics. Ongoing analyses aim to characterize these patterns further and evaluate potential drivers of infection variation in northern bird populations.
