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Contact networks in a wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population: using social network analysis to reveal seasonal variability in social behaviour and its implications for transmission of devil facial tumour disease
Citation
Hamede Ross, RK and Bashford, JD and McCallum, HI and Jones, Menna, Contact networks in a wild Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) population: using social network analysis to reveal seasonal variability in social behaviour and its implications for transmission of devil facial tumour disease, Ecology Letters, 12, (11) pp. 1147-1157. ISSN 1461-023X (2009) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2009.01370.x
Abstract
The structure of the contact network between individuals has a profound effect on the transmission of infectious disease. Using a novel technology - proximity sensing radio collars - we described the contact network in a population of Tasmanian devils. This largest surviving marsupial carnivore is threatened by a novel infectious cancer. All devils were connected in a single giant component, which would permit disease to spread throughout the network from any single infected individual. Unlike the contact networks for many human diseases, the degree distribution was not highly aggregated. Nevertheless, the empirically derived networks differed from random networks. Contact networks differed between the mating and non-mating seasons, with more extended male-female associations in the mating season and a greater frequency of female-female associations outside the mating season. Our results suggest that there is limited potential to control the disease by targeting highly connected age or sex classes. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Zoology |
Research Field: | Animal physiology - biophysics |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in terrestrial environments |
UTAS Author: | Hamede Ross, RK (Dr Rodrigo Hamede Ross) |
UTAS Author: | Bashford, JD (Dr James Bashford) |
UTAS Author: | McCallum, HI (Professor Hamish McCallum) |
UTAS Author: | Jones, Menna (Professor Menna Jones) |
ID Code: | 58216 |
Year Published: | 2009 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 223 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2009-09-18 |
Last Modified: | 2011-07-27 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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