Viral outbreak dynamics and evolution in wildlife at the interface with humans

Rachael Marie Giglio; Aaron Westmoreland; Mark Q. Wilber; Grete WIlson-Henjum; Aung Nyein Chan; Billy Gardner; Wantida Horpiencharoen; Roderick B. Gagne; Avery M. Corondi; Alec Baker; Matthew A. Combs; Jefferey Chandler; Kezia R. Manlove; Kim M. Pepin; W. David Walter

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2025.0540

USGS · 70273672

Viral outbreak dynamics and evolution in wildlife at the interface with humans

Rachael Marie Giglio·Aaron Westmoreland·Mark Q. Wilber·Grete WIlson-Henjum·Aung Nyein Chan·Billy Gardner·Wantida Horpiencharoen·Roderick B. Gagne·Avery M. Corondi·Alec Baker·Matthew A. Combs·Jefferey Chandler·Kezia R. Manlove·Kim M. Pepin·W. David Walter

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

In this study, we used a multi-faceted approach to understand patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and persistence in a wild white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) population. Serology data indicated transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and persistence during the seven-month sampling period. Traditional disease modelling based on deer-to-deer transmission indicated relatively low prevalence with an R 0 of 1.9 and recovery period of 7 days; however, individual-based modelling informed by GPS tracked-movement data captured a potential transmission event. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a recurring pattern of divergent groups of deer-derived sequences with human-derived sequences falling close to each deer-derived cluster. Further, human-derived sequences were frequently sampled months prior to the deer-derived sequences, indicating repeated human to deer spillover. Using multiple types of data as well as both fine and broad scale analyses, we have characterized a pattern of localized outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 within white-tailed deer populations that are likely recurring due to frequent spillover events. Our results suggest that while deer-to-deer transmission occurs over small spatiotemporal scales, SARS-CoV-2 persistence over longer periods and across larger regions is likely driven by repeated spillover from human populations.

Explore related subjects

Biology Letters Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.13625338204636° to 41.185043765669775° latitude; -78.74508968825047° to -78.69431360415658° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Rachael Marie Giglio, Aaron Westmoreland, Mark Q. Wilber, Grete WIlson-Henjum, Aung Nyein Chan, Billy Gardner, Wantida Horpiencharoen, Roderick B. Gagne, Avery M. Corondi, Alec Baker, Matthew A. Combs, Jefferey Chandler, Kezia R. Manlove, Kim M. Pepin, W. David Walter. 2025-12-10. Viral outbreak dynamics and evolution in wildlife at the interface with humans. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2025.0540

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2024

Range-wide salamander densities reveal a key component of terrestrial vertebrate biomass in eastern North American forests

Characterizing the population density of species is a central interest in ecology. Eastern North America is the global hotspot for biodiversity of plethodontid salamanders, an inconspicuous component of terrestrial vertebrate communities, and among the most widespread is the eastern red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus . Previous work suggests population densities are high with significant geographic variation, but comparisons among locations are challenged by lack of standardization of methods and failure to accommodate imperfect detection. We present results from a large-scale research network that accounts for detection uncertainty using systematic survey protocols and robust statistical models. We analysed mark–recapture data from 18 study areas across much of the species range. Estimated salamander densities ranged from 1950 to 34 300 salamanders ha −1 , with a median of 9965 salamanders ha −1 . We compared these results to previous estimates for P. cinereus and other abundant terrestrial vertebrates. We demonstrate that overall the biomass of P. cinereus , a secondary consumer, is of similar or greater magnitude to widespread primary consumers such as white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) and Peromyscus mice, and two to three orders of magnitude greater than common secondary consumer species. Our results add empirical evidence that P. cinereus , and amphibians in general, are an outsized component of terrestrial vertebrate communities in temperate ecosystems.

Biology Letters↗

USGS2022

Social effects of rabies infection in male vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus)

Rabies virus (RABV) transmitted by the common vampire bat ( Desmodus rotundus ) poses a threat to agricultural development and public health throughout the Neotropics. The ecology and evolution of rabies host-pathogen dynamics are influenced by two infection-induced behavioral changes. RABV-infected hosts often exhibit increased aggression which facilitates transmission, and rabies also leads to reduced activity and paralysis prior to death. Although several studies document rabies-induced behavioral changes in rodents and other dead-end hosts, surprisingly few studies have measured these changes in vampire bats, the key natural reservoir throughout Latin America. Here, we take advantage of an experiment designed to test the safety and efficacy of an oral rabies vaccine in captive male vampire bats to quantify for the first time how rabies affects allogrooming and aggressive behaviors in the vampire bat. Compared to non-rabid vampire bats, rabid individuals reduced their allogrooming prior to death, but we did not detect increases in aggression among bats. To put our results in context, we review what is known and what remains unclear about behavioral changes of rabid vampire bats.

Biology Letters↗

USGS2020

Wait and snap: eastern snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) prey on migratory fish at road-stream crossing culverts

There is growing evidence that culverts at road-stream crossings can increase fish density by reducing stream width and fish movement rates, making these passageways ideal predator ambush locations. In this study, we used a combination of videography and δ 13 C stable isotope analyses to investigate predator–prey interactions at a road-stream crossing culvert. Eastern snapping turtles ( Chelydra serpentina ) were found to regularly reside within the culvert to ambush migratory river herring ( Alosa spp.). Resident fish species displayed avoidance of the snapping turtles, resulting in zero attempted attacks on these fish. In contrast, river herring did not display avoidance and were attacked by a snapping turtle on 79% of approaches with a 15% capture rate. Stable isotope analyses identified an apparent shift in turtle diet to consumption of river herring in turtles from culvert sites that was not observed in individuals from non-culvert sites. These findings suggest that anthropogenic barriers like culverts that are designed to allow passage may create predation opportunities by serving as a bottleneck to resident and migrant fish movement.

Biology Letters↗