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Blending Population Ecology and Parasitology. Kyle Luth GIS Fall 2008. Organisms. Helisoma anceps pulmonate snail found mostly in mud and in leaf litter host Daubaylia potomaca nematode parasite direct lifecycle. *Images: http://images.google.com, Chernin et al., 1960. Location.
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Blending Population Ecology and Parasitology Kyle Luth GIS Fall 2008
Organisms • Helisoma anceps • pulmonate snail • found mostly in mud and in leaf litter • host • Daubaylia potomaca • nematode parasite • direct lifecycle *Images: http://images.google.com, Chernin et al., 1960
Location • Mallard Lake • Forsyth County • freshwater, public access • Logistics: • Latitude: 36.0029 • Longitude: -80.4028 • Elevation: 705 ft (215 m) • Perimeter: 1,426 m *Image: www.co.forsyth.nc.us/Tanglewood/recr_Fishing.aspx
Goals: determine which substrata are where allow for random sampling model determine where snails are located distribution density determine where nematodes are located distribution density N M L O K J P I Q H G F E D C B A Transects A
Questions to Answer • Does snail density influence the transmission of the nematode? • Are there patterns of snail and/or parasite distribution? • Are there “hot spots” of infection? • High incidence of host-parasite contact/interaction • What are the transmission dynamics assoc. with this system? • Hyp: Transmission will be greater in muddy areas than in leaf-cover areas.