Original Article
The relationship between fleas density of Spermophilus alaschanicue and host density and meteorological factors
Wang Dingsheng, Xu Daqin, Ge Pengfei, Xi Jinxiao, Zhang Hong, Wu Bin, Wang Shiming, Gai Yongzhi
Published 2018-12-20
Cite as Chin J Endemiol, 2018,37(12): 965-968. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.2095-4255.2018.12.004
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between fleas density of Spermophilus alaschanicue and host density as well as meteorological factors.
MethodsThe densities of fleas of Spermophilus alaschanicue and meteorological temperature, precipitation, relative humidity data in the same period from 1977 to 2014 in plague natural foci of Spermophilus alaschanicue of Gansu Province were collected. In order to further establish the multiple linear regression and the stepwise regression analysis model, SAS 9.3 software was used to explore the linear correlation analysis between fleas index number, density of Spermophilus alaschanicue and meteorological factors.
ResultsThe average body flea index positively correlated with the density of Spermophilus alaschanicue (r= 0.34, P < 0.05), in addition, hole fleas index was in negative correlation with the average temperature of the current and preceding first, second and third years (r=-0.44,-0.39,-0.45,-0.54, P < 0.01). However, hole fleas index positively correlated with the average rainfall of preceding first year (r= 0.38, P < 0.05). More specifically, the monthly body flea index was negatively correlated with the average rainfall and the average temperature of current, preceding first, second, and third months, and the average relative humidity of current month (r=-0.23,-0.34,-0.43,-0.29,-0.25,-0.33,-0.36,-0.38,-0.26, P < 0.01). After multiple linear regression analysis, the following equations were obtained: body fleas index = 3.983 1 + 0.695 1 × Spermophilus density-0.004 9 × average annual rainfall; hole fleas index = 10.780 4 + 0.009 1 × average annual rainfall-0.216 2 × annual average relative humidity.
ConclusionsThe relationship between fleas density of Spermophilus alaschanicue and the environment is complex, they have mutual connection as well as mutual restriction. Except Spermophilus density affects the number of fleas, the two most important meteorological factors which affect the flea body index are temperature and rainfall. In addition, the relationship between meteorological factors and flea body index shows somewhat lagging behind for two to three months.
Key words:
Muridae; Siphonaptera; Yersinia pestis; Meteorological factor; Correlation analysis
Contributor Information
Wang Dingsheng
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Xu Daqin
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Ge Pengfei
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Xi Jinxiao
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Zhang Hong
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Wu Bin
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Wang Shiming
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
Gai Yongzhi
Institute for Brucellosis and Plague Prevention, Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou 730020, China
