We are connected: flea–host association networks in the plague outbreak focus in the Rift Valley, northern Tanzania

摘要: Abstract Context. Plague is a serious health problem in northern Tanzania, with outbreaks since 2008 two districts located Rift Valley. There dearth of knowledge on diversity small mammal and flea fauna occurring this plague focus. Knowledge interactions between fleas rodent species that harbour the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, important for developing strategies control prevention plague. Aims. This study aims to show how rodents are associated each other Methods. Animals were trapped bimonthly from 2009 2012 different habitats. The fur animals was brushed collect fleas, which identified quantified. Network analysis methods, randomisation rarefaction curves used hosts associated. Key results. Thirteen 26 Dinopsyllus lypusus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis X. cheopis confirmed efficient vectors Y. pestis....