Title

Connecting parasite-infected crab data to shorebird mortality during El Ni˜no seasons

Authors

Emily McClung
James Peirce

Date

2017

Faculty Advisor

James Peirce

Department

Mathematics

Abstract

Pacific mole crabs (Emerita analoga) are one of the most important and abundant invertebrates in sandy beach environments. Consequently, they are a common food source for shorebirds and sea otters.Since the mole crab serves as the primary intermediate host for acanthocephalans parasites, they have been linked to a number of mortality events. Studies suggest that parasite development and transmission may be strongly effected by weather patterns. LiMPETs, a citizen science program, has collected data on the prevalence of infected crab along the California Coast. By segregating this data into El Nino/La Nina seasons, we use a differential equation model help to answer questions concerning weather effects on shorebird mortality.

Subjects

Acanthocephala--Physiology; Anomura--Parasitology; Behavior, Animal--Physiology; Host-Parasite Interactions--Physiology

Publication Information

A Summer Research Celebration Project

© 2017 The Author

Citation: Pilot Scholars Version (Modified MLA Style)

McClung, Emily and Peirce, James, "Connecting parasite-infected crab data to shorebird mortality during El Ni˜no seasons" (2017). Mathematics Undergraduate Publications, Presentations and Projects. 1.
https://pilotscholars.up.edu/mth_stupubs/1