Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA
Abstract Wildlife plays an important role in the emergence of livestock diseases, and their movements can complicate disease management efforts. One of the most significant vector‐borne diseases of livestock worldwide is bovine babesiosis, spread by cattle fever ticks (CFTs; Rhipicephalus [=Boophilu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Ecosphere |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4401 |
| _version_ | 1797894415356788736 |
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| author | Kathryn M. Sliwa Jeremy A. Baumgardt Randy W. DeYoung J. Alfonso Ortega‐S David G. Hewitt John A. Goolsby Kimberly H. Lohmeyer |
| author_facet | Kathryn M. Sliwa Jeremy A. Baumgardt Randy W. DeYoung J. Alfonso Ortega‐S David G. Hewitt John A. Goolsby Kimberly H. Lohmeyer |
| author_sort | Kathryn M. Sliwa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Wildlife plays an important role in the emergence of livestock diseases, and their movements can complicate disease management efforts. One of the most significant vector‐borne diseases of livestock worldwide is bovine babesiosis, spread by cattle fever ticks (CFTs; Rhipicephalus [=Boophilus] microplus and Rhipicephalus [=Boophilus] annulatus). Although CFTs were eradicated from the United States by 1943, bovine babesiosis and CFTs are prevalent in México. Recently, management of CFTs in the Texas–México region has been complicated by the presence of free‐ranging, exotic nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Nilgai are abundant in this region and are competent hosts for CFTs. The goal of this study was to better understand nilgai movements and space use to inform CFT treatment strategies. We analyzed hourly locations from 40 GPS‐collared nilgai in Cameron County, TX, USA, from April 2019 to September 2020. We assigned each nilgai a movement behavior using the net squared displacement metric. We estimated nilgai home range sizes at different temporal scales (monthly, seasonally, and overall) using Brownian bridge movement models. We observed movement patterns consistent with residency (52.5%), seasonal movers (17.5%), dispersal (5%), and unclassified (25%). Resident nilgai had an average maximum axial distance of 7.8 km, while two young females made separate dispersal movements of about 40 km within a year. Overall, nilgai had large and highly variable home ranges: annual median home range estimate for females was 563 ha (range = 105–1545 ha), and for males, it was 937 ha (range = 221–1602 ha). Peak nilgai movements occurred during crepuscular hours, and median hourly movement for females was 57 m/h, and for males, it was 66 m/h. Nilgai home ranges and long‐distance movements have the potential to overlap multiple ranches, as the typical ranch size in South Texas ranges from 250 to 6000 ha. Resident nilgai were more likely to maintain local infestations of CFT. Dispersal events took place during peak tick season, demonstrating the potential for nilgai to aid in the spread of CFT. Understanding these behaviors will help the CFT Eradication Program develop more efficacious treatment strategies to treat infestations in nilgai. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:09:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b10a7eca9b3841a69f8165aeabb8721e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2150-8925 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:09:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-b10a7eca9b3841a69f8165aeabb8721e2023-02-27T00:40:39ZengWileyEcosphere2150-89252023-02-01142n/an/a10.1002/ecs2.4401Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USAKathryn M. Sliwa0Jeremy A. Baumgardt1Randy W. DeYoung2J. Alfonso Ortega‐S3David G. Hewitt4John A. Goolsby5Kimberly H. Lohmeyer6Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USACaesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Texas A&M University–Kingsville Kingsville Texas USAUSDA Agricultural Research Service Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory Edinburg Texas USAUSDA Agricultural Research Service Knipling‐Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory and Veterinary Pest Genomics Center Kerrville Texas USAAbstract Wildlife plays an important role in the emergence of livestock diseases, and their movements can complicate disease management efforts. One of the most significant vector‐borne diseases of livestock worldwide is bovine babesiosis, spread by cattle fever ticks (CFTs; Rhipicephalus [=Boophilus] microplus and Rhipicephalus [=Boophilus] annulatus). Although CFTs were eradicated from the United States by 1943, bovine babesiosis and CFTs are prevalent in México. Recently, management of CFTs in the Texas–México region has been complicated by the presence of free‐ranging, exotic nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Nilgai are abundant in this region and are competent hosts for CFTs. The goal of this study was to better understand nilgai movements and space use to inform CFT treatment strategies. We analyzed hourly locations from 40 GPS‐collared nilgai in Cameron County, TX, USA, from April 2019 to September 2020. We assigned each nilgai a movement behavior using the net squared displacement metric. We estimated nilgai home range sizes at different temporal scales (monthly, seasonally, and overall) using Brownian bridge movement models. We observed movement patterns consistent with residency (52.5%), seasonal movers (17.5%), dispersal (5%), and unclassified (25%). Resident nilgai had an average maximum axial distance of 7.8 km, while two young females made separate dispersal movements of about 40 km within a year. Overall, nilgai had large and highly variable home ranges: annual median home range estimate for females was 563 ha (range = 105–1545 ha), and for males, it was 937 ha (range = 221–1602 ha). Peak nilgai movements occurred during crepuscular hours, and median hourly movement for females was 57 m/h, and for males, it was 66 m/h. Nilgai home ranges and long‐distance movements have the potential to overlap multiple ranches, as the typical ranch size in South Texas ranges from 250 to 6000 ha. Resident nilgai were more likely to maintain local infestations of CFT. Dispersal events took place during peak tick season, demonstrating the potential for nilgai to aid in the spread of CFT. Understanding these behaviors will help the CFT Eradication Program develop more efficacious treatment strategies to treat infestations in nilgai.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4401Boselaphus tragocamelusbovine babesiosiscattle fever ticksfemale dispersalhome rangemovement behavior |
| spellingShingle | Kathryn M. Sliwa Jeremy A. Baumgardt Randy W. DeYoung J. Alfonso Ortega‐S David G. Hewitt John A. Goolsby Kimberly H. Lohmeyer Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA Ecosphere Boselaphus tragocamelus bovine babesiosis cattle fever ticks female dispersal home range movement behavior |
| title | Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA |
| title_full | Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA |
| title_fullStr | Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA |
| title_short | Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA |
| title_sort | movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope a threat to the re emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern usa |
| topic | Boselaphus tragocamelus bovine babesiosis cattle fever ticks female dispersal home range movement behavior |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4401 |
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