Culling wildlife hosts to control disease: mountain hares, red grouse and louping ill virus

摘要: Summary 1. Culling wildlife hosts is often implemented as a management technique to control pathogen transmission from domestic or other economically important animals. However, culling may have unexpected consequences, can be expensive and wider implications for biodiversity ecosystem functioning. 2. We assess the evidence that mountain hares Lepus timidus an effective practical way louping ill virus in red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus. 3. Evidence available literature limited, restricting our ability reliably effectiveness of ticks, virus, increase densities. Furthermore, information required cost-benefit this strategy lacking. The population response not well understood possible effects on their conservation status upland remain unexplored. 4. We conclude there no compelling base suggest might densities. 5. Synthesis applications. Widespread necessarily reducing disease improving economic returns. use culls should proposed only when: (i) cycle fully with all host-vector interactions considered; (ii) populations known; (iii) analysis shows increased revenue reduced prevalence exceeds cost culling.