Population structure of two rabies hosts relative to the known distribution of rabies virus variants in Alaska.

摘要: For pathogens that infect multiple species, the distinction between reservoir hosts and spillover is often difficult. In Alaska, three variants of arctic rabies virus exist with distinct spatial distributions. We tested hypothesis variant distribution corresponds to population structure primary in foxes (Vulpes lagopus) red vulpes) possibly distinguish hosts. used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence nine microsatellites assess those two species. mtDNA did not correspond either Microsatellite analyses gave varying results. Bayesian clustering found groups coastal tundra region, but for it identified boreal types. Spatial principal components analysis 3 4 foxes, respectively, closely matching state. Red conversely, showed eight clusters comprising regions (boreal tundra) much admixture. These results run contrary previous beliefs fox show no fine-scale structure. While we cannot rule out part maintenance host community appears be driven primarily by fox. Therefore, genetics can utilized when conjunction other approaches.