Rodent-borne pathogen status (DP1.10064.001)

Small mammal sampling is based on the lunar calendar, with timing of sampling constrained to occur within 10 days before or after the new moon. Typically, core sites are sampled 6 times per year, and relocatable sites 4 times per year. Small mammals are sampled using box traps (models LFA, XLK, H.B. Sherman Traps, Inc., Tallahassee, FL, USA). Box traps are arrayed in three to eight (depending on the size of the site) 10 x 10 grids with 10m spacing between traps at all sites. Blood samples for pathogen testing are collected only once per individual per sampling bout, but an individual may be resampled in subsequent bouts. Rodent-borne pathogen status data are typically only collected on three of the mammal trapping grids at each site, with these grids designated as 'pathogen grids'. Pathogen grids are trapped for three consecutive (or nearly) nights per sampling event to facilitate the generation of robust density estimates. The remaining grids, 'diversity grids' are only sampled for one night per sampling event. Once a grid has been designated as a pathogen grid (after an initial assessment period of two years), that classification will apply for all subsequent trapping seasons for consistent, long-term data collection.