title: Predicting Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm prevalence, presence and abundance in raccoons (Procyon lotor) of southwestern Ohio using landscape features.
abstract: Raccoon roundworm is a leading cause of a neurological disease known as larva migrans encephalopathy in vertebrates. We determined that roundworm prevalence is significantly lower in Beavercreek Township than other townships surveyed, and that mean patch size and proportion of landscape modified by urbanization or by agriculture are good predictors of roundworm prevalence and abundance in raccoons. The proportion of landscape modified by urbanization was the best predictor of roundworm presence. These data will facilitate predictions regarding roundworm prevalence in areas that have not been previously sampled, and contribute to devising management strategies against the spread of raccoon roundworm.
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States ; Loma Linda University, 11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States.
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ingle
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University, 11234 Anderson St., Loma Linda, CA 92354, United States.
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gathany
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Melinda M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vasser
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Jaynee L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bartsch
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Guffey
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Cole J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Ashlie N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Carrie E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rowlands
authors.affiliation: Cedarville University, 251 N. Main St., Cedarville, OH 45314, United States.
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Trigg
keywords: Cestodes; Landscape; Parasites; Prevalence; Raccoons; Roundworm