Selective predation on hantavirus-infected voles by owls and confounding effects from landscape properties

摘要: It has been suggested that predators may protect human health through reducing disease-host densities or selectively preying on infected individuals from the population. However, this not tested empirically. We hypothesized Tengmalm's owl (Aegolius funereus) preys hantavirus-infected of its staple prey, bank vole (Myodes glareolus). Bank voles are hosts Puumala hantavirus, which causes a form hemorrhagic fever in humans. Selective predation by owls reduce disease risk. compared prevalence anti-Puumala hantavirus antibodies (seroprevalence), cached nest boxes to seroprevalence trapped closed-canopy forest around each box. found no general difference seroprevalence. Forest landscape structure could partly account for observed patterns Only more connected patches was higher than voles. This effect disappeared with increasing patch isolation, as increased but did Our results suggest complex relationship between zoonotic hosts, their predators, and structure. Some mechanisms have caused our include density isolated patches. study offers future research potential shed further light contribution properties health.