David C. Keller

RELATIONSHIP OF ECOLOGICAL VARIABLES TO SIN NOMBRE VIRUS ANTIBODY SEROPREVALENCE IN POPULATIONS OF DEER MICE

Abstract Because recent studies have not demonstrated a strong relationship between rodent density and Sin Nombre virus (SNV) seroprevalence, there is speculation that seroprevalence may be related to other factors, including habitat quality and food availability. We evaluated densities of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), plant cover and biomass, and terrestrial arthropod biomass at 2 sites in the southwestern United States to identify factors that may affect the seroprevalence rate of SNV within a rodent population. Seroprevalence differed significantly between years. Although interaction of deer-mouse density, plant cover and biomass, and arthropod biomass was not a strong predictor of seroprevalence (R2 = 0.64, P = 0.04), we observed a significant contribution to a repeated-measures model by deer-mouse density (P = 0.02). Our data suggest that as rodent density increases, so does the seroprevalence rate within that population. Although not significantly correlated, we observed the lowest levels of arthropod biomass when seroprevalence was highest. Based on our results, evaluating changes in habitat quality and incorporating measurement of local ecological variables with studies of fluctuations in rodent density may aid in predicting human outbreaks of hantavirus disease.

Amphibians and Reptiles of Los Alamos County

Recent studies have shown that amphibians and reptiles are good indicators of environmental health. They live in terrestrial and aquatic environments and are often the first animals to be affected by environmental change. This publication provides baseline information about amphibians and reptiles that are present on the Pajarito Plateau. Ten years of data collection and observations by researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and hobbyists are represented.

Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Management Plan for Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Management Plan (HMP) fulfills a commitment made to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in the “Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility Mitigation Action Plan” (DOE 1996). The HMP received concurrence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1999 (USFWS consultation numbers 2-22-98-I-336 and 2-22-95-I-108). This 2015 update retains the management guidelines from the 1999 HMP for listed species, updates some descriptive information, and adds the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus) and Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) which were federally listed in 2014 (Keller 2015: USFWS consultation number 02ENNM00- 2015-I-0538).