AI Article Synopsis
- The study focused on the impact of the louping-ill disease on red grouse populations in northern Britain, highlighting its severe effects, especially on chicks.
- Louping-ill reduces population cycling and may lead to population declines (sinks) due to its high mortality rates.
- Research found that mountain hares play a critical role in disease transmission, supporting the idea that they amplify the virus and serve as hosts for the tick vector.
Article Abstract
The epidemiology of louping-ill in red grouse was studied in northern Britain concentrating on the possible role of other species and mechanisms of disease persistence. This tick borne viral disease caused heavy mortality in red grouse, particularly chicks. Louping-ill induced mortality reduced the strength of the density dependence that generates the tendency of grouse populations to cycle and in some populations may cause population sinks. Four routes of transmission were examined and non-viraemic transmission of virus between ticks cofeeding on hares was considered significant. Field data supported the hypothesis that disease dynamics is influenced greatly by mountain hares, both as passive amplifiers and as hosts for the tick vector. Genetic variation in louping-ill within Britain was small.
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