Relationships between Movement Patterns of Wild Animals and the Distribution of Leptospirosis

Abstract

Trap-retrap data from opossums (Didelphis marsupialis), skunks (Mephitis mephitis), cats (Felis domesticus), and woodchucks (Marmota monax) were analyzed as to home ranges, distribution, and intensity of habitat usage. Each species used some parts of the study area more intensively than others, and in one place these areas of preferred habitat overlapped. It was postulated that contact, direct or indirect, between members of a species as well as between species was potentially greater here and that the distribution of leptospirosis on the area was related to the animal concentrations and the characteristics of the habitat. Distributions and movement patterns of animals influence the potential for contact between individuals, between species, and with certain locations in an area. A study of leptospirosis in wild animals in southeastern Illinois presented an opportunity to examine the influence of animal distribution on the presence of the leptospires. This report deals with the home ranges, distribution, and intensity of habitat usage of some of the animals in the community, and their relationship to the occurrence of leptospires. The study area was selected with the cooperation of the University of Illinois, Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, the U. S. Forest Service, and Alan L. Robbs. We wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the staff at the Agricultural Center, especially M. E. Mansfield, R. J. Webb, and J. M. Lewis. Technical assistance was provided by G. C. Sanderson and T. G. Scott of the Illinois Natural History Survey. James R. Reilly and Helen C. Schultz assisted with the preparation of the manuscript.