Blending Population Ecology and Parasitology Kyle Luth GIS Fall 2008 Organisms Helisoma anceps pulmonate snail found mostly in mud and in leaf litter host Daubaylia potomaca nematode parasite direct lifecycle *Images:Chernin et al., 1960 Location Mallard Lake Forsyth County freshwater, public access Logistics: Latitude: Longitude: Elevation: 705 ft (215 m) Perimeter: 1,426 m *Image: The Process A B C H G F E D N M L K J I Q P O Transects Goals: -determine which substrata are where -allow for random sampling model -determine where snails are located -distribution -density -determine where nematodes are located -distribution -density A Questions to Answer 1.Does snail density influence the transmission of the nematode? 2.Are there patterns of snail and/or parasite distribution? 3.Are there hot spots of infection? High incidence of host-parasite contact/interaction 4.What are the transmission dynamics assoc. with this system? Hyp: Transmission will be greater in muddy areas than in leaf-cover areas.