Presence and Distribution of Enteric Microbes Associated with Peromyscus Leucopus Feces and Surrounding Soil Environments Across a Latitudinal Gradient in the Upper Midwest
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-9-2026 11:30 AM
End Date
4-9-2026 12:45 PM
Abstract
Presence and distribution of enteric microbes associated with Peromyscus leucopus feces and surrounding soil environments across a latitudinal gradient in the Upper Midwest Abstract Zoonotic are diseases transmitted from animals to human. These diseases can spread through various vectors and wildlife hosts, posing potential risks to public health. Rodents are among the most important mammalian reservoirs of zoonotic microorganisms and play a significant role in transmission of pathogens to humans. Human activities and environmental changes can influence the microbial communities associated with urban wildlife, potentially altering the distribution of microorganisms and affecting ecosystem and public health dynamics. The abundant and widely distributed deer mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, is known to harbor several zoonotic agents in North America and serves as an important model for studying host–microbe interactions and pathogen tolerance. This study investigated the presence and distribution of enteric microbes associated with Peromyscus leucopus feces and surrounding soil environments across a latitudinal gradient in the Upper Midwest. Understanding these microbial patterns helps reveal how environmental factors and geographic variation influence microbial diversity in wildlife habitats. I hypothesized that the prevalence and diversity of enteric microbes would increase at southern latitudes due to environmental factors such as temperature, habitat characteristics. Selective agar media were used to culture and enumerate various microbes from feces and soil. The comparison of microbial abundance and diversity across sampling locations showed variation in E. coli, and Enterobacteriaceae with variation in sampling locations. Results suggest that environmental conditions and geographic variation influence the distribution and abundance of microbial communities associated with rodent habitats and highlight the importance of monitoring microbial reservoirs in urban and natural ecosystems for potential public health implications.
Presence and Distribution of Enteric Microbes Associated with Peromyscus Leucopus Feces and Surrounding Soil Environments Across a Latitudinal Gradient in the Upper Midwest
University Library
Presence and distribution of enteric microbes associated with Peromyscus leucopus feces and surrounding soil environments across a latitudinal gradient in the Upper Midwest Abstract Zoonotic are diseases transmitted from animals to human. These diseases can spread through various vectors and wildlife hosts, posing potential risks to public health. Rodents are among the most important mammalian reservoirs of zoonotic microorganisms and play a significant role in transmission of pathogens to humans. Human activities and environmental changes can influence the microbial communities associated with urban wildlife, potentially altering the distribution of microorganisms and affecting ecosystem and public health dynamics. The abundant and widely distributed deer mouse, Peromyscus leucopus, is known to harbor several zoonotic agents in North America and serves as an important model for studying host–microbe interactions and pathogen tolerance. This study investigated the presence and distribution of enteric microbes associated with Peromyscus leucopus feces and surrounding soil environments across a latitudinal gradient in the Upper Midwest. Understanding these microbial patterns helps reveal how environmental factors and geographic variation influence microbial diversity in wildlife habitats. I hypothesized that the prevalence and diversity of enteric microbes would increase at southern latitudes due to environmental factors such as temperature, habitat characteristics. Selective agar media were used to culture and enumerate various microbes from feces and soil. The comparison of microbial abundance and diversity across sampling locations showed variation in E. coli, and Enterobacteriaceae with variation in sampling locations. Results suggest that environmental conditions and geographic variation influence the distribution and abundance of microbial communities associated with rodent habitats and highlight the importance of monitoring microbial reservoirs in urban and natural ecosystems for potential public health implications.