Project abstract summaryproject title biotic and abiotic drivers of the prevalence of a tick and associated vectorborne diseaseproject dates 3 1 2025 through 2 29 2028AWARD purposeemerging diseases…

This federal Cooperative Agreement award, funded by the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CFDA 15.820) program, provides $438,945 to the University of Arizona to study the emergence of the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) in Arizona and its potential to transmit the Rickettsia parkeri bacteria to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Over three years, the recipient will capture birds, inspect them for ticks, and take health measurements to determine how the tick and bacteria affect bird health. They will also conduct a comprehensive survey of the tick's distribution across southeastern Arizona to identify key habitat features influencing its prevalence. The project aims to understand whether climate change, habitat loss, or bird dispersal is driving the tick's range expansion, and to predict future distribution as the climate changes to inform management and conservation efforts in the region.

Project abstract summaryproject title biotic and abiotic drivers of the prevalence of a tick and associated vectorborne diseaseproject dates 3 1 2025 through 2 29 2028AWARD purposeemerging diseases are threats to wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Ticks are one of the most important vectors of disease in north america however, their presence in desert ecosystems is often underestimated. The gulf coast tick amblyomma maculatum has been recently discovered in arizona and has the potential to transmit a bacterial spotted fever rickettsia parkeri to humans and other animals. IT is not yet understood why this tick has recently appeared in arizona. IT is possible that IT was present, yet undetected in the area, or that changes to climate and habitat availability expanded its range into the region. Activities to be performedthe recipient will study this tick in partnership with the tucson audubon society and the nature conservancy in arizona. Over three years, the recipient will capture birds, inspect them for ticks and take key health measurements. They will use these measurements to determine how the tick and bacteria affect bird health. They will then combine these data with a rigorous census of the tick across southeast arizona to create maps of where the tick is found and identify the most important habitat features that affect its distribution and abundance. These activities will help determine whether changing climate, habitat loss, or dispersal by birds is most likely behind the emergence of this tick in the region. Finally, the recipient will use project results to predict where the tick will be found in the future as the climate changes and identify places and where humans and other animals may be most at risk of contracting disease. Project research data will be used to inform management and conservation activities in the region and better understand the risk of emerging disease to arizona wildlife and people.deliverables and expected outcomesthe recipient will identify the most important habitat features that affect the ticks distribution and abundance. The projects research data will help determine whether changing climate, habitat loss, or dispersal by birds is most likely behind the emergence of this tick in the region. Finally, results will be used to predict where the tick will be found in the future as the climate changes and identify places and where humans and other animals may be most at risk of contracting disease. Project results will be used to inform management and conservation activities in the region and better understand the risk of emerging disease to arizona wildlife and people.intended beneficiaryiesresource and conservation managers, agricultural stakeholders, academic and nonprofit research organizations, centers for disease control, ecosystems, wildlife, and inhabitants of the region affected by this new parasite.subrecipient activities n a