Fleas were collected from white-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys leucurus) and other small mammals trapped on six grids during a field study near Meeteetse (Wyoming, USA) in 1989 and 1990 to investigate the dynamics of plague in this rodent population. Fleas were identified and tested for Yersinia pestis by mouse inoculation. Yersinia pestis-positive fleas were found on prairie dogs and in their burrows. Flea species on prairie dogs changed from spring to late summer. White-tailed prairie dog numbers were significantly lower in the presence of Y. pestis-positive fleas; however, affected populations generally recovered 1 to 2 yr following absence of detectable plague. Grids where recovery occurred had a high proportion of juvenile male prairie dogs. Eighteen flea species were identified on small mammals, six of which were infected with Y. pestis. Some flea species were associated with a particular small mammal species, while others were found on a broad range of host species. Flea species most important in the potential interchange of Y. pestis between associated small mammals and white-tailed prairie dogs were Oropsylla tuberculata cynomuris, Oropsylla idahoensis, and Oropsylla labis. Plague cycled through the white-tailed prairie dog complex in an unpredictable manner. Each summer the complex was a mixture of colonies variously impacted by plague: some were declining, some were unaffected by plague, and others were recovering from plague population declines. These data provide insight into the dynamics of plague in white-tailed prairie dog complexes, but predicting movement of plague is not yet possible and the role of associated mammals in maintenance of plague is not understood.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Stapp, D. J. Salkeld, R. J. Eisen, R. Pappert, J. Young, L. G. Carter, K. L. Gage, D. W. Tripp, and M. F. Antolin Exposure of Small Rodents to Plague during Epizootics in Black-tailed Prairie Dogs J. Wildl. Dis., July 1, 2008; 44(3): 724 - 730. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Thiagarajan, Y. Bai, K. L. Gage, and J. F. Cully Jr. Prevalence of Yersinia pestis in Rodents and Fleas Associated with Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) at Thunder Basin National Grassland, Wyoming J. Wildl. Dis., July 1, 2008; 44(3): 731 - 736. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Lowenstine and R. J. Montali Historical Perspective and Future Directions in Training of Veterinary Pathologists with an Emphasis on Zoo and Wildlife Species J Vet Med Educ, January 1, 2006; 33(3): 338 - 345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. N. Pauli, S. W. Buskirk, E. S. Williams, and W. H. Edwards A plague epizootic in the black-tailed prairie dog (cynomys ludovicianus). J. Wildl. Dis., January 1, 2006; 42(1): 74 - 80. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Mencher, S. R. Smith, T. D. Powell, D. T. Stinchcomb, J. E. Osorio, and T. E. Rocke Protection of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) against Plague after Voluntary Consumption of Baits Containing Recombinant Raccoon Poxvirus Vaccine Infect. Immun., September 1, 2004; 72(9): 5502 - 5505. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X.-Z. Huang, M. C. Chu, D. M. Engelthaler, and L. E. Lindler Genotyping of a Homogeneous Group of Yersinia pestis Strains Isolated in the United States J. Clin. Microbiol., April 1, 2002; 40(4): 1164 - 1173. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]