|
Objectives
The study of the ecology and behaviour of free-ranging
populations of masked palm civets will provide us with useful information
on:
1. The potential for virus infection in natural
populations of civets.
2. Possible rates and speed of transmission within and between civet
populations.
3. Human-induced habitat factors favouring the transmission of the
virus between civet populations.
4. Possible management solutions to prevent contact between healthy
and infected civet populations.
5. The areas of potential human risk.
In addition, other viverrid species such as the
common genet (Genetta genetta) are susceptible to be infected with
Coronavirus. Therefore comparative ecological and behavioural studies
are needed to better understand the mechanisms of transmission and
contagious patterns among animal populations.
Description of work
Task 1: Training on small
carnivore field work, ecology and modelling.
Task 2: Field work in
China. Live trapping, ecological and behavioural studies (radiotracking)
and sampling of civets and other small carnivores.
Task 3: Habitat analysis
and GIS models on the potential distribution area of civets, barrier
to movements, and densities.
Task 4: Spatially explicit
models including information on civet and/or genets movements to
estimate rates of contact between populations, speed and probability
of virus infection both in civet populations and human, and possible
large scale solutions.
Deliverables
D20 Estimates of home range size,
daily distance travelled, and dispersal capabilities of civets and
genets.
D21 Generalised patterns of habitat
selection of civets and genets.
D22 Generalised patterns of grouping
and interactions between individuals of different sex and status
in civets.
D23 Generalised patterns of food
and foraging behaviour in civets.
D24 Maps of habitat suitability
for civets and genets, including preferred habitats, habitat matrix
and barriers.
D25 Spatially explicit models
of inter-population contacts and estimates of the potential speed
and possible routes of virus transmission.
D26 Geographic determination of
the potential areas of human risk.
D27 Peer-review scientific publications
in international journals.
Milestones and expected result
M0-M12:
- Field work, trapping and radiotracking in China.
- Collection of field data on the ecology and behaviour of wild
civets and genets.
- Acquisition of samples for sequencing and microsatellite studies
(see WP 2).
M12-M24:
-Analysis of ecological data, GIS modelling and spatially explicit
modelling.
- Maps of species distribution and densities.
- Routes of contact between civet populations.
- Estimates of inter-population virus contagion rates.
- Areas for potential human risk.
M24-30
Preparation of scientific publications and report
|
