Research Herwig Leirs

Abstract

Restoring Ecosystems to Stop the Threat Of (Re-)Emerging Infectious Diseases: There is a growing body of evidence that landscape degradation is linked to zoonotic spillover risk. Large scale restoration is increasingly being touted as an effective solution for mitigating against a range of anthropogenic impacts and is also hypothesised to protect against zoonotic disease spillover. However, little is known about the mechanisms with which restoration may provide this protection. It is commonly assumed that restoration mirrors in reverse the processes that occur during degradation; however, it is likely that this relationship is in fact asymmetric. Rarely can restored landscapes be returned to a state similar to that of pristine ecosystems, and often restored landscapes need to fulfil a range of environmental and socioeconomic requirements that inherently prevent them from doing so. Additionally, the spatiotemporal scale necessary to effect positive change is context dependent, and the type of restoration necessary to protect against zoonotic spillover is currently unknown. Ecosystem restoration can vary widely in type, scale and context and can also change how humans interact with their environment, which may have unexpected consequences for zoonotic disease spillover. Given the complexity of these interactions and their effect on disease, it is vital that we understand how restoration specifically might impact wildlife disease and emergent spillover risk

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Kirkpatrick Lucinda

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The main applicant, Biobest Group N.V., is worldwide leader in biological pollination and biological control in protected crops. An important pillar within Biobest is the free technical service that is offered when a grower buys products. A technical advisor of Biobest will visit the grower weekly or biweekly to discuss and optimize the IPM strategy. Due to the yearly growth of 15 to 20%, Biobest faces many challenges concerning recruitment, training and logistics. An accurate, reliable and trustworthy advice starts with a good monitoring of pests and beneficials in time and space. Unfortunately, monitoring comes with a cost, which is often a hurdle for many growers. Therefore, Biobest is searching the market for affordable alternatives and invested a lot of resources in new innovative technology. Crop-Scanner is Biobest's monitoring tool for data input. Flying insects can be caught with yellow sticky traps. For this purpose, Biobest developed the Crop-Scanner add-on Trap-Scanner, which is an algorithm that identifies six different pests and beneficials on smartphone pictures. Recently, this system was optimized in collaboration with the company PATS (The Netherlands) to a fully automatic system with a fixed camera (Trap-eye). March 2021 Biobest invested 7.5 million euro in the Canadian company Ecoation. This company offers a visual attractive dashboard where growers can enter real-time monitoring data and visualize heatmaps. The ultimate goal of Biobest is a self-learning prescriptive DSS that will 1) give automatic IPM advice, and 2) increase the efficacy of the released beneficials. The roadmap towards this goal started with detailed monitoring data (descriptive analytics) followed by a rule-based decision support system (DSS) (IF THEN ELSE model). This project will focus on the next step, the predictive analytics. In short, this step describes population models that 1) predict whether a pest is under control or not based on the number of beneficials on the plants, or/and 2) predict population densities of predator and prey in the near future. Simple one on one predator-prey models were already developed in the LA-Traject PeMaTo (nr: 140948) (Moerkens et al., 2021, Brenard, 2020). Mathematical models based on differential equations are the standard in population ecology (Gause et al., 1936). However, the scientific novelty lies in the complex ecological dynamics that occur once multiple pests and predators are present. The added value of artificial intelligence within the field of population ecology will be investigated.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Human population levels are continuously on the rise, and this is accompanied by unprecedented rates of urbanisation. The resulting levels of environmental change both directly and indirectly affect various ecosystem processes and cause steep biodiversity loss, making it a major concern in conservation biology. Yet given the inexorable rate of urbanisation we urgently have to discern cities as environments, which provide unique sets of opportunities and challenges for wildlife. Yet, animals that survive and thrive in cities have to deal with the spatio-temporal variability, novelty and complexity of urban landscapes, as well as with the altered pace of social life, as urban environments often sustain larger populations of the species dwelling in cities than more natural habitats. This likely poses specific social challenges, but also sets the conditions for the spread of socially transmitted diseases. Yet little is known about how disease transmission is actually affected by the heterogeneity of the urban landscape and how that is driven by individual variation in the capacities that animals require to live in urban environments. This project will, therefore, investigate which factors drive disease dynamics at the population-level in wild animals thriving in urban environments. Given that the transmission of the disease contains a significant individual component, this will be combined with detailed measures of among individual variation in social behaviour

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Müller Wendt
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Kiss Valentin Adrian

Research team(s)

• Behavioural Ecology & Ecophysiology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Epidemics and pandemics- most of them caused by zoonotic and vector-borne emerging diseases- are globally threatening our health and welfare at an alarming pace. Prevention of future disease outbreaks will be pivotal to secure human welfare and demands transformative change. "Biodiversity-is-good-for-our-health" has become a new paradigm in disease risk mitigation. Consequently, nature restoration targeting biodiversity recovery - isolated or in combination with public health interventions - has been identified as a major disease risk mitigation tool. While there are thousands of ongoing and planned nature restoration projects globally, we lack knowledge a) if such restorations indeed interrupt the infect-shed-spill-spread cascade and mitigate disease risk, b) or if they rather amplify the risk and c) on success factors characterizing restorations that mitigate disease risk. BEPREP will fill this lack in knowledge and provide practical guidance. In spatially and temporally replicated field studies and experiments in case studies in Europe and the tropics, we will study a)-c) and reveal the causal mechanisms of infection dynamics and of drivers along the infect-shed-spill-spread cascade. BEPREP's participatory and transsectorial approach by actively involving indigenous and local communities will enable the identification of success factors of best practice restorations and interventions, incl. nature-based solutions, to guide future biodiversity recovery measures that promote healthy ecosystems. These success factors will contribute to a) interrupt the infect-shed-spill-spread cascade and b) ultimately prevent disease outbreaks. The results of BEPREP help to create a European society prepared and responsive to disease risk. BEPREP will hence accelerate the ecological transition required to meet EU's Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 as a core part of EU's Green Deal and support a green recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Kirkpatrick Lucinda

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The aim of the project is to develop a fully operational and robust data collection workflow for the long-term monitoring of the import of exotic animals and wild meat into Belgium and of the associated health risks. We aim to increase the knowledge of the scale and diversityof the (illegal) trade in exotic animals and wild meat, and of its associated pathogens. We propose to establish a centralized database of the incoming exotic animals and derived products imported into Belgium; to enable the sharing of this database among the different federal public services, agencies and other stakeholders; to set up optimized in-field protocols for data gathering and biological sampling; and to set up workflows for laboratory pathogen testing and species identification. In this way, an efficient and durable work programme for monitoring the import of legal and illegal exotic animals and animal products will be established. Such a strategy will enable future evaluations the impact of implemented measures concerning border controls and sensitization, and to have an evidence-based assessment of the riskof emerging infectious diseases through this trade. For this multidisciplinary project we partner with experts from various scientific institutions: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and Royal Museum for Central Africa (animal taxonomy and diversity), Sciensano (zoonotic pathogens), Biology Department - University of Antwerp (disease ecology and tissue databases). We will be further advised bythe Belgian Biodiversity Platform (biological databases) and Belnet (federal database IT). Furthermore, we will invite experts from theconservation agencies Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF, and Traffic to be part of the Follow-up committee. Naturally, the relevant federalpublic services and agencies (customs, FASFC, FPS Health,...) will be closely involved in all discussions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Biodiversity loss in hotspots of biodiversity is, among other socio-ecological factors, key to understand, prevent and react to future pandemics. However, despite this knowledge, the current COVID-19 crisis highlights the limitations of the implementation of One Health approaches. A main limitation is the lack of context-adapted solutions that stakeholders could easily implement on the field. To overcome this, BCOMING will build on past international projects to co-construct innovations with all stakeholders of biodiversity hotspots to reduce the risk of infectious disease emergence through biodiversity conservation and disease surveillance strategies. The activities of the project will be implemented in Europe and three tropical biodiversity hotspots in Southeast Asia, West Africa and the Caribbean and will have the following expected impacts: - BCOMING will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the impact of biodiversity on the risk of infectious disease emergence - Participatory tools developed will facilitate the design of context-adapted biodiversity conservation and restoration strategies that reduce zoonotic risk - The surveillance strategies and pathogen detection tools developed will improve the capacities to detect emergences and stop future epidemics before they can turn into pandemics The consortium constitutes a strong multi-actor group of partners with a history of successful cooperation including academics from biomedical, environmental and social sciences, private companies, NGOs, local and international stakeholders who bring together the wide range of disciplines and expertise required to reach all the expected outcomes of the call. The embedment of BCOMING in the Prezode initiative will help to scale up the project innovations and disseminate cutting-edge socio-economic environmental strategies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Sluydts Vincent

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The past century has seen unprecedented changes of natural biotopes due to human activities, in Africa perhaps even more than elsewhere. This has affected the distribution and dynamics of infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic infections, transmitted from wildlife to humans. In addition, changes in human demography, agriculture and other human activities in the environment, including health care interventions, have also changed the disease dynamics. Understanding the relative contribution of these factors may help in predicting what the effects can be of future environmental changes to the spread of diseases. This FED-tWIN profile will use museum collections and historical archives to retrospectively study the impact of environmental and anthropogenic changes on vector and disease dynamics. Despite their enormous potential, this 'unexplored heritage' is vastly underused in epidemiological research. Here we will combine longitudinal series of vector collections and zoonotic disease carriers from the RMCA and, in a later stage, also other institutes, with historical archives such as medical records, aerial pictures and scientific publications. By taking a multidisciplinary approach, combining ecology, geography, modeling and semi-quantitative methods, we will document the changes in the presence, diversity and distribution of pathogens, vectors and animal reservoirs and relate these to changes in 1) human demography, 2) climate, and 3) land cover and land use on the spread of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. By including socio-ecological studies and historical records of disease control efforts, we can draw lessons in order to improve current health policy ('historical epidemiology'). RECORDED has a perspective of 10 years, but as a starting point we will focus on three vector-borne diseases that are strongly affected by environmental and anthropogenic change and that fall within the expertise of and/or historical documentation at both institutes: schistosomiasis, sleeping sickness and bubonic plague. The initial geographical focus lies on Kisangani (DRCongo), in the heart of the Congolese rainforest, because of the wealth of historical archives and collections that exist in our museums due to our colonial history, but also because it is a fast-growing economical center, linked with Kinshasa through the Congo River. Due to increased globalization, changing disease dynamics in Kisangani will therefore also be linked to other areas in the world.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Mariën Joachim

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Smallpox constituted one of the deadliest diseases of all time. Combining efficient transmission, with a high death rate (30%), this virus regularly caused epidemics that claimed millions of lives. Although the disease was successfully eradicated through mass vaccination, closely related poxvirus species are still emerging. Among these, monkeypox virus is most of concern. Circulating in wildlife in the rainforests of Central Africa, it often contaminates populations living close to the forest. Once infected, humans develop an illness that strongly resembles smallpox and they can spread the virus to other people, like household contacts or health care workers. Alarmingly, recent numbers indicate that monkeypox cases are increasing. Unfortunately, the disease is relatively understudied as outbreaks mainly occur in remote areas, with poorly equipped surveillance systems. The goal of this project is, therefore, to study the mechanisms behind monkeypox transmission. To this end, we will use a multidisciplinary approach that studies all aspects of the transmission chain: the animal reservoir, animal-to-human spillover, virus shedding in infected patients and spread of the disease within households. This project is unique as it ingrates studies in both animals and humans to finely dissect the mechanisms of monkeypox transmission. The outcomes of this project will be crucial to prevent and control future monkeypox epidemics and will contribute to overall pandemic preparedness.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Animals have evolved three strategies to prevent and survive infections: i) avoiding the encounter with infectious agents (i.e., avoidance), ii) limiting parasite proliferation (i.e., resistance), iii) reducing the damage caused by the infection (i.e., tolerance). However, these strategies induce costs for hosts resulting in a trade-off between defence mechanisms and fitness traits (e.g., growth, reproduction). These trade offs may differ depending on factors like the type of parasite, the infection probability, host life history, age and personality. In disease ecology, personality traits, such as boldness and exploration, have been linked to the probability of infection in many host-parasite systems. However, it is not yet clear whether personality also can explain heterogeneity in defence strategies among individuals. I will address this knowledge gap using the multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis and two of its parasites (Morogoro virus and a nematod Trichuris mastomysi) as model system. In particular, I will 1) experimentally test mice response against a macro- and microparasite infection, 2) determine the correlation between resistance, tolerance and avoidance, 3) investigate the link between these three defence strategies and host personality and 4) integrate information from laboratory experiments with observations of wild populations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Piscitelli Anna Pia

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Most research on the eco-epidemiology of bat-borne viruses is conducted on "one host–one virus" systems. Here, we propose to characterize patterns in the structure of the bat virome at the community level to go beyond the one host-one pathogen paradigm. This project aims to investigate the exchange of viruses between different species and families of bats, and livestock in East Africa by analyzing the structure and dynamic of viral communities in Tanzanian bat communities using a comparative metagenomic approach. We aim at examining the role of host community composition, roost type, and phylogeny in shaping viral diversity as well as identifying patterns in the structure of bat virome. We will also investigate the role of seasonal bat reproduction as a driver of viral community structure and further assess whether certain bat species and/or periods may be at higher risk for pathogen transmission. Besides, the exploration of potential silent circulation of bat-borne viruses in livestock will help to assess if spillovers of bat-borne viruses to other hosts are stochastic events or if the frequency of these events is underestimated. Together, these results will provide important elements for understanding patterns of viral diversity in bat communities and are expected to alter the general view of bat-borne disease ecology.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Gryseels Sophie
• Fellow: Joffrin Léa

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Large carnivores in Ethiopia are decreasing in numbers and in geographical range mainly due to human population pressure and fragmentation, urbanization, habitat loss followed by low political interest for wildlife conservation. To formulate strategies to mitigate these threats, it is important to understand large carnivore occupancy, estimate density, examining conflict status, predict landscape connectivity and evaluate population viability. The aim of this research project is therefore: 1. To understand factors that determines the presence and density of large carnivores in the Omo valley. 2. To evaluate landscape connectivity of protected area for movement of large carnivores in the Omo valley. 3. To examine human-large carnivore conflict status in the study sites. 4. To evaluate population viability of globally threatened large carnivores in the Omo valley. Addressing the aforementioned objectives will allow us to work with stakeholders towards improved conservation action.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Fishing cat is a medium size wild cat distributed in South and Southeast Asia. It is a globally 'Vulnerable' and nationally 'Endangered' in IUCN redlist. Despite their threatened status, limited information is available about fishing cats in the wild. In Nepal, they are distributed along the Terai region (southern plains) with discrete populations in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Parsa, Chitwan, Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks. Outside the Protected Areas (PAs) fishing cat is recorded from Jagdishpur reservoir (a Ramsar site). But a linkage between these populations is not well understood. To fill the information gap, this project is designed to study distribution, status, ecology and population linkages of fishing cats as well as their relationship with local communities in Nepal. I will assess the population abundance and density of Fishing Cats in Nepal's protected areas using camera trap based capture re-capture method. I will collect non-invasive genetic samples from their scats in different sites, representing the Fishing Cat sub-populations of Nepal. I will test the hypothesis that Fishing Cat populations of different protected areas are genetically distinct due to absence of connecting habitat corridors. Through scat samples, I will also analyse the diet of Fishing Cats. I will also radio-collar 6 – 10 Fishing Cat individuals to assess the home ranges and landscape use pattern in natural habitats and close to fish farms. I will conduct the semi-structured questionnaire survey with local communities to understand their perception towards Fishing Cat conservation and threats. The study will contribute on Fishing Cat Conservation by providing crucial information on their ecology and identifying priority actions for their long-term survival in Nepal.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Apart from consuming and spoiling animal feed, and damaging infrastructure in and around farm buildings, rodents are a considerable threat to animal health and One Health. They can cause direct stress on pigs and poultry but are mainly important as carriers of pathogens. These include economically very significant diseases like Swine dysentery, Aujeszky's Disease, PCV2 and Encephalomyocarditis. Wild brown rats can carry Influenza A and might act as an intermediate for the transmission of avian influenza between wild birds and poultry. For some other diseases like African Swine Fever, rodents may act as mechanical reservoirs or they may support ticks that can carry ASF. Rodents also play a role in the epidemiology of leptospirosis and salmonellosis or in spreading antibiotic resistant bacterial strains such as livestockassociated MRSA. They can pick up the infection from infected pigs or poultry and spread it within and between farms, they can act as a bridge between wild fauna and livestock, and they can maintain the infection locally when a farm is emptied and decontaminated after a disease outbreak or livestock turnover. Thus, there are very good reasons for rodent management on pig and poultry farms. An important approach has always been the use of rodenticides. However, concerns about the environmental safety of the most common rodenticides has led to changes in the European and national regulations that restrict their use and pose new challenges for efficient rodent management on farms. There is also the problem of resistance against these poisons. This project RODENTGATE will investigate the rodent-related risks for animal health in the pig and poultry industry and how this might change with altered rodent control. Ecologically-based rodent management is a strategy that combines an Integrated Pest Management approach with a thorough knowledge of the rodent ecology, enabling interventions to be precisely targeted in time and space, whilst being ecologically and economically sustainable. This requires a very good understanding of the rodent demography, life history, space use, dispersal capacities as well appropriate documentation of pathogen presence and transmission patterns in the rodent population. Proper understanding of transmission mechanisms is crucial since killing hosts may have unexpected effects on the spreading of an infection. RODENTGATE's specific objectives are 1) to document changes in disease risk for pigs and poultry when classical rodent management around farms is prevented and rodent populations around farms change in abundance or composition and 2) to propose appropriate evidence-based and economically sustainable strategies for the ecologically-based management of rodents and rodent-borne infections around farms. These questions will be addressed by a multidisciplinary consortium of scientists from Belgium, UK, Germany, The Netherlands, and Poland, using a combination of analysis of existing data, sampling rodents, environment and livestock on farms, molecular diagnosis of pathogens, field work on rodent population biology and movements, ecological modelling, control strategy development and communication with the pig and poultry industry and pest control industry.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Sluydts Vincent

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this network we bring together scientists studying various aspects of the evolution and ecology of viruses occurring in (African) wildlife. Among these wildlife-viruses are zoonoses: infections that naturally circulate in non-human animals and occasionally infect humans. Some of these zoonotic infections do not efficiently transmit among people, so that their appearance and that of their associated disease in humans relies mostly on the presence and repeated contact between the natural animal hosts and people and the human pathological response. These types of infections are typically studied by ecologists, immunologists and pathologists. Other zoonotic infections may not reach humans very often, when for example they naturally occur in more elusive animals. In most instances these zoonotic infections reach a dead end in humans, but some may spread efficiently among people as soon as they emerge in humans, such as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Such pathogens are either already by chance 'pre-adapted' to the human host, or can quickly evolve the necessary properties to efficiently infect and spread among humans. Epidemiologists and evolutionary biologists then typically study these latter types of infections. To prepare public health actions to rapidly respond to each of these different types of zoonotic viruses, a better understanding of how these viruses behave in natural settings before reaching humans is required. The key to this understanding lies in the patterns of their evolutionary histories, natural transmission ecology and the variation in response elicited by various hosts. Furthermore, many infections cannot be strictly categorized in either of the two types mentioned above, but reach and cause disease in humans as the result of a complex interplay between natural-host ecology, pathogen adaptive evolution, epidemiology, and the immunological and pathological response in humans. Research on those kinds of infections could thus strongly benefit from a synergy between different disciplines: animal fieldwork, molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, ecological and epidemiological modeling, computational phylogenetics and immunology. Flanders contains world-class research groups studying these aspects of zoonotic and other wildlife viruses, and we wish to ensure the continuation of this knowledge capacity and further build to expand it. To achieve this, we need to exchange research ideas, expertise-specific scientific insights, animal samples, and skill- and toolsets for field, laboratory and analytical work; and we need to train our early-career researchers with the necessary sets of state-of-the art skills. We aim to formalize a Scientific Research Network on the ecology and evolution of wildlife and zoonotic viruses between research groups with complimentary expertise but overlapping research interests. The objective of this network is to stimulate interaction between complementary Flemish research groups and mutually benefit from existing international networks. The ultimate goal is to maintain and further increase the quality of the research in Flanders and develop partnerships for joint interdisciplinary projects and generally stimulate network-building for early-career researchers in infectious disease ecology and evolution. We will realise this networking through the organization of annual summer workshops. These advanced-level workshops will primarily be targeted at early-career postdoc researchers from the partner groups, offering exposure to different research angles to understand similar ultimate questions in zoonotic infection evolutionary ecology. Further inspiration will be provided by senior network partners and additional invited top international scientists. The workshops will also offer hands-on opportunities to learn different skills and toolsets. These can then be further elaborated through exchange visits to the international partners for training in state-of-the-art analysis techniques.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Grey wolves (Canis lupus) have recently recolonized large parts of western Europe, where they had been extinct for over a century. Although this is considered a conservation success, it has also led to livestock depredation as an unwanted side-effect. Presently, there are no methods to sustainably reduce depredation in vast pastoral areas where livestock fencing is not feasible or ecologically desirable, which threatens the coexistence of wolves and pastoralism. Here I propose to test the effectiveness of aversion conditioning in wild wolves to prevent sheep depredation. Using those principles, I intend to test and develop new methods that can be used in various pastoral regions across Europe and that can condition free ranging wolves to (i) avoid cues that could be equipped on sheep and (ii) to avoid sheep prey because of condition food aversion and/or (iii) to avoid sheep wearing an aversive cover. Autonomous conditioning traps will be dispatched around pastures and inside wolf pack territories and monitored by camera traps. Those conditioning traps should allow wolf self-delivery punishment and would provide self-conditioning experience. If efficient, such measures could help preventing depredation where current methods either conflict with habitat connectivity, fail, or need support.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Chastel Matthieu

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

OMEgA studies emerging zoonotic diseases in Afrotropical mammals by investigating the ecology of the infections and the evolutionary aspects of the diversity of the pathogens and their associated natural hosts. Our two main objectives are to (i) unravel how the phylogeography, evolutionary history and ecology of hosts can provide insights about the diversity, origin and distribution of these zoonotic pathogens; (ii) discern which ecological mechanisms and environmental changes (climate, landscape, biodiversity loss, …) may facilitate host switching of pathogens or maintain host specificity, even in the absence of a strong molecular barrier. To address these questions, we will use Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods to screen specimens and tissues from museum collections as well as freshly collected material for the presence of pathogens, to verify the hosts' taxonomy, the phylogenetic and ecological relationships among host species, and the distribution ranges of genetically discrete host populations. The resulting information on the hosts' taxonomy, biology, the transmission ecology of reliably identified pathogens inferred from their presence, diversity, host specificity and evolution will allow us to answer the profiles' main objectives. These findings will not only increase our fundamental knowledge on parasites/pathogen diversity, but also address important One Health aspects as they will shed new light on the conditions that result in zoonotic pathogens switching hosts from wildlife humans. Crucially, our results will contribute towards a better understanding of the relative contributions of anthropogenic global changes (climate change, erosion of tropical forests, changing landscape and human activity patterns) to the emergence of novel zoonotic pathogens, some of which pose potential global health risks.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Gryseels Sophie

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The livelihood activities of rural communities in Ethiopia are performed at the expense of biodiversity in areas with a high degree of contacts between humans and the wildlife. This project is aimed at improving academic and research capacity at Wolaita Sodo University (WSU) focusing on ecological interactions at the human-wildlife interface and generating better knowledge of human-wildlife conflict to elucidate possible mitigation measures. The intermediate results (outputs) anticipated from the project include, description of the human-wildlife conflict and its economic impact, investigation of zoonosis epidemiology with emphasis on leishmania-sis, investigation of wetland to dryland shifts and its effects on small mammal populations and conflicts. The spatial and temporal data on human-wildlife conflicts will be collected. The results will be translated into policy briefs and disseminated to local communities, stakeholders and policy makers for actions. Improved human wellbeing (protected environment, enhanced crop productivity and better health) would be the key impacts envisaged by the project.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Restoring Ecosystems to Stop the Threat Of (Re-)Emerging Infectious Diseases: There is a growing body of evidence that landscape degradation is linked to zoonotic spillover risk. Large scale restoration is increasingly being touted as an effective solution for mitigating against a range of anthropogenic impacts and is also hypothesised to protect against zoonotic disease spillover. However, little is known about the mechanisms with which restoration may provide this protection. It is commonly assumed that restoration mirrors in reverse the processes that occur during degradation; however, it is likely that this relationship is in fact asymmetric. Rarely can restored landscapes be returned to a state similar to that of pristine ecosystems, and often restored landscapes need to fulfil a range of environmental and socioeconomic requirements that inherently prevent them from doing so. Additionally, the spatiotemporal scale necessary to effect positive change is context dependent, and the type of restoration necessary to protect against zoonotic spillover is currently unknown. Ecosystem restoration can vary widely in type, scale and context and can also change how humans interact with their environment, which may have unexpected consequences for zoonotic disease spillover. Given the complexity of these interactions and their effect on disease, it is vital that we understand how restoration specifically might impact wildlife disease and emergent spillover risk.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

To mitigate and prevent zoonotic disease to humans, it is necessary to understand how pathogens are transmitted in populations of their wildlife reservoir. In fact, most wildlife pathogens circulate endemically within communities of multiple host species that differ in density, susceptibility, infectiousness and behaviour. One of the main questions within this one-health perspective is whether increasing biodiversity will lead to a decrease or increase in infection prevalence, termed the dilution and amplification effects, respectively. In this project, we will investigate these mechanisms focusing on viruses in rodent communities using a unique combination of empirical data, existing sample sets, and state-of the art metagenomic sequencing and modelling. More specifically we will integrate a CRISPR-Cas-based host depletion technique into existing metagenomic sequencing pipeline that will allow us to deplete any target (e.g. host gene, adapters) of any type (DNA or RNA), in any sample (acellular vs cellular), and in any species. This will greatly expand the diagnostic range for human and wildlife samples at ITM and UAntwerp and more importantly provide a more in-depth understanding of the ecology and evolution of zoonotic viruses.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Mariën Joachim

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research project aims to support ACIAR to invest diligently and effectively in jurisdictions that face governance challenges, risks and constraints. The aim of this project is to provide guidance to ACIAR on possible partners and commissioned organisations that can effectively and appropriately be engaged to work within ACIAR research projects focused primarily on upland agricultural issues in Myanmar, and to explore potential research and development pathways with non-government agencies. Specific objectives of the project are: 1. Collate who (Non-government, international research and development providers, private sector, key individuals) is working in relevant upland environments (CDZ and Shan State). This will include the potential for CGIAR centres to be direct partners in upland cropping systems. 2. Assess the track record and execute a preliminary due diligence of promising future partners. 3. Identify high priority research and development gaps in agricultural systems that align with the strategic objectives of ACIAR, with assessment of practicality of executing an effective investment without funding government agencies. Desktop analyses and remote interviews have been identified as the most effective and appropriate approach for this project. A small number of discussions with relevant individuals in Australia and within institutions such as the CGIAR will also be held either via phone calls or online where appropriate.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Although most emerging infectious diseases are caused by animalborne pathogens that originate from wildlife, the ecological mechanisms that explain how these pathogens spread and persist in the natural environment remain unclear. This research gap arises from the practical challenges of gathering convincing field data due to the stochastic nature of epidemics and the fact that these are longterm, population-level processes. In this project, I propose to investigate how differences in rodent communities influence the prevalence, persistence and control of pathogens that infect multiplehost species. These mechanisms lie at the root of an ongoing debate in conservation biology: whether biodiversity loss will lead to an increase or decrease of infectious disease that might spillover from animals to humans. The work will be based on the analysis of a unique collection of rodent samples that were captured during earlier fieldwork performed in the DRC and Tanzania and will be tested on the presence of different pathogens. By combining this data collection with additional field experiments and mathematical models, my project will test three main hypotheses: (i) pathogens tend to infect multiple host species, (ii) pathogen persistence is often driven by a key host species, and (iii) targeting this key host species suffices for pathogen control.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Mariën Joachim

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Natal multimammate mouse is probably the most widespread African rodent. In West-Africa it carries Lassa virus, which can be transmitted to humans and can cause lethal haemorrhagic fever; in other regions of Africa it carries closely related arenaviruses, but these are not pathogenic to humans. These viruses seem to be restricted to certain geographic regions because they are specific to genetically different subgroups of this mouse species. In Tanzania, three of these subgroups carrying three different non-pathogenic viruses come into contact. It is therefore an ideal place to investigate what happens to these subgroups when they meet and how this affects their arenaviruses. More specifically, I will describe the divergence of the host subgroups, characterise the hybrid zones where the subgroups come into contact, assess the association of different arenaviruses with their host subgroups and study arenavirus evolution and viral load in the hybrid zones. This research will yield insights into speciation processes and help to understand the geographic distribution and evolution of arenaviruses, which is crucial to predict future emergences and to plan interventions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Cuypers Laura

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In order to understand biological processes such as migration, dispersal and disease transmission, we need to know where animals are moving and who they are meeting. While this has been achieved for a lot of larger animals, the vast majority of animals are too small to effectively monitor without compromising on data accuracy or acquisition rates. This has implications not only for research into animal movement and behaviour, but also for applied applications such as better welfare for captive animals and livestock, and environmental monitoring. The recent advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) which has revolutionized various aspects of daily life have enormous potential in the field of wildlife tracking, but as yet have been little exploited, particularly when considering miniaturized options. We developed ProxLogs, an integrated, flexible and accessible monitoring system for small animals, based around recent improvements to Bluetooth Low Energy protocols. This project aims to develop the Minimum Viable Product, test it in operational environments, and investigate the appropriate business model of the system. This will be a state-of-the-art system which will allow the monitoring of far smaller wild and domestic animals at a greatly improved spatiotemporal scale than has previously been achieved, all while ensuring the system remains low cost and accessible for end users through our use of the widely available Bluetooth protocols. In this project we will further validate the prototype and investigate different potential business models.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Weyn Maarten
• Co-promoter: Berkvens Rafael
• Co-promoter: Kirkpatrick Lucinda
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Internet Data Lab (IDLab)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

SARS‐CoV‐2 has its origin in an Asian bat species, but it is now clear that it can infect various unrelated mammal species in addition to humans. Given the circulation of the virus among humans, they may transmit it to wildlife; should this happen, a new reservoir may emerge that will be extremely difficult to control. This should be avoided, but it is not yet clear which naturally occurring species in Belgium are susceptible to the virus. Virus entry in a host cell happens through binding to the ACE2 protein, and is further facilitated by the host's furin and TMPRSS2 proteases; these proteins occur in all species, but their sequences (and thus the structural properties that are required for interaction with the virus) may differ, and that determines whether the host is susceptible to infection. To determine which species possibly can become infected, we will determine the sequences of the involved genes for the different Belgian mammal species. In collaboration with the protein specialists of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences we will map the possible structural and functional implications of variations in amino acid sequences and on this basis evaluate which native mammals potentially could become a reservoir. Based on this, specific measures can then be developed to avoid the creation of such a reservoir.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project will investigate how biodiversity conditions (dis)favour spill-over of infectious agents into human populations in African forests. This is crucial for predicting and controlling the risk of new outbreaks under changing biodiversity scenarios. In order to investigate this process, we propose 1° to link changes in biodiversity to changes in communities of reservoirs and the pathogens they carry and 2° to link differences in these reservoir communities to human health. The proposed research activities will focus on Monkeypox and Ebola viruses but a broader spectrum of pathogens will be included so that we can cover a range from pathogens that are relatively common in a variety of small mammals (MPXV) to pathogens that are rare and found in very few species only (EBV). The proposed study will be conducted in DR Congo and Côte d'Ivoire, in areas where these emerging diseases have been observed before and make optimal use of the large sample collections that have been collected earlier in these areas by the consortium partners.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Our project aims at elucidating the interlinkages between biodiversity and diseases at local and European scales using standardized assessments of biodiversity and disease risks. This project will address this issue by integrating new key research directions, i.e. host microbiome and multiple pathogen diversity levels on one hand, seasonal and multi-annual dynamics on the other hand, including climate change scenarios, and interactions with socioeconomic contexts. These scientific questions are an essential prerequisite to improve existing modelling of the relationship between biodiversity and diseases, and to develop a framework, which enables to provide predictions with regard to the human and animal health impacts of ecosystem management practices, biological conservation strategies and/or climate changes on human and animal health. As such, these questions must and will be addressed in collaboration with main local and European stakeholders and policy makers. Our results will be disseminated to a larger audience, through a wide array of communication channels, and considering appropriate language and national/socio-professional specificities of the different members of the public targeted.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Flemish Government has commissioned a study on animal-friendly pest control methods agains rats and mice. The roject is run by INBO, UAntwerp has been subcontracted as an external advisor for this project.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Most epidemiological models for infections target a single pathogen, but in reality hosts are commonly infected by more than one pathogen. Moreover, many models assume random or even homogeneous mixing of individuals within defined categories and do not account for heterogeneity of host characteristics or behavioural changes as a consequence of infection. In this project, we will address these questions with an African rodent population as a model system. Using a vast set of existing capture-mark recapture data of multimammate mice Mastomys natalensis in Tanzania, with over 9,000 blood samples collected during monthly captures since 2007 and still ongoing, we will be able to investigate co-infections with several pathogens, describe positive and negative associations between these pathogens and carry out a longitudinal study on the dynamics of the transmission of these pathogens. Using experiments both in the lab and in large field enclosure (0.5 ha) we will collect data about the mutual interactions of the pathogens at the transmission level, and the effects of (co-)infections on contact rates and behavior (and vice versa), taking heterogeneity into account. These data and insights will be the basis for the development of mathematical models that take these issues into account.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals; e.g. Ebola) in recent years have highlighted the important role that wildlife may play in disease transmission. This is particularly true in situations where humans and animals live in close proximity, and where animals are stressed due to habitat modification. Transmission depends on whether an infected individual contacts a susceptible individual and the likelihood that a susceptible individual is then infected. Habitat alteration changes resource availability and distribution, with consequences for how often animals contact each other, and can increase stress, with consequences for disease susceptibility. Therefore, understanding how environmental stress is going to change disease transmission is of fundamental interest in disease ecology. Here, I propose to use the multimammate mouse to explore how environmental stress influences survival, behaviour and virus transmission. I will use a range of approaches to assess physiological responses to stress in both laboratory and field experiments, combined with state of the art devices to record behaviour in wild, free living rodents. A prolific breeder, the multimammate mouse hosts several zoonotic diseases, and thrives in human dominated landscapes. Therefore , not only is this a pioneering study which will deliver exciting fundamental insights, but understanding how disturbance influences transmission in this species is also of applied interest

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Kirkpatrick Lucinda

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Infectious diseases (ID) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pose a continuous and serious threat to humans and animals (One Health). Five research units from the UAntwerpen, with strong international records and collaboration, will continue to jointly capitalize on their ID expertise. EVECO studies distribution, evolution and ecology of pathogens (plague, arenaviruses, …) and wildlife hosts, offering insights for emerging ID management. LMM has established large consortia (COMBACTE, PREPARE) leading to pan-European infrastructures for ID and antimicrobial consumption research. Next to developing rapid diagnostics, LMM investigates AMR mechanisms and pathogen dynamics in vitro, in humans/livestock, and in animal models to study host-immune response (biomarker discovery) and bacterial pathogenicity. LEH performs cutting-edge research on cell-based immunotherapies, in collaboration with the UZA Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine. LEH investigates host-immune responses in vaccine trials using multi-parametric flow cytometry and systems biology to discover novel immune correlates of protection in next-generation vaccines. CEV studies the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases and performs state-of-the-art vaccine trials with large national/international networks, including maternal immunization trials and quarantine studies with genetically-modified polioviruses. Given the global need for EID vaccines (Lassa, Ebola, …) , CEV engages in several innovative (non)-human challenge-phase 1-2 studies. CHERMID undertakes methodological and applied research on the intersection between health economics, biomedicine and mathematics. CHERMID is internationally renowned for developing models of dynamic ID processes within and between hosts and integrating these with cutting edge economic models. By integrating these complementary expertises, this COE will address current and future challenges in ID management.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Pierre
• Co-promoter: Beutels Philippe
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Malhotra Surbhi
• Co-promoter: Van Tendeloo Vigor

Research team(s)

• Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Donation to the Universiteitsfonds in order to stimulate research in the field of conservation biology. The Department of Biology decides how to use these funds for for grants or salaries for researchers.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Animal personality is the phenomenon that behaviour is consistent through time, meaning, for example, that some individuals are always more aggressive than others. Any behaviour can be defined as a personality trait, as long as it is repeatable through time, but personality traits are generally divided into five categories: boldness, exploration, activity, aggressiveness and sociability. Highly explorative individuals may be more likely to encounter mates and thus have high reproductive success, for example, but they may also be at an increased risk of encountering parasites, pathogens, and predators. These fitness costs of personality are understudied, but may have important implications for disease dynamics. Using the natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) - Morogoro arenavirus study system, I will examine the possible links between personality traits, immune functioning, and infection risk. Specifically, I will 1) establish whether M. natalensis show evidence of consistent personality traits and if any traits are correlated, 2) investigate whether host personality traits are associated with viral infections in free-living populations, 3) determine whether there is a relationship between some personality traits and immune system function, 4) experimentally test whether infection alters the expression of personality traits, and 5) use epidemiological models to explore the potential effects of personality on virus transmission dynamics in free-living populations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Matthysen Erik
• Fellow: Vanden Broecke Bram

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Natal multimammate mouse is probably the most widespread African rodent. In West-Africa it carries Lassa virus, which can be transmitted to humans and can cause lethal haemorrhagic fever; in other regions of Africa it carries closely related arenaviruses, but these are not pathogenic to humans. These viruses seem to be restricted to certain geographic regions because they are specific to genetically different subgroups of this mouse species. In Tanzania, three of these subgroups carrying three different non-pathogenic viruses come into contact. It is therefore an ideal place to investigate what happens to these subgroups when they meet and how this affects their arenaviruses. More specifically, I will describe the divergence of the host subgroups, characterise the hybrid zones where the subgroups come into contact, assess the association of different arenaviruses with their host subgroups and study arenavirus evolution and viral load in the hybrid zones. This research will yield insights into speciation processes and help to understand the geographic distribution and evolution of arenaviruses, which is crucial to predict future emergences and to plan interventions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Cuypers Laura

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change represents a major threat to biodiversity as well as to human wellbeing. Climate change mitigation strategies such as the UN-REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) program aim at protecting and enhancing biosphere carbon (C) stocks, by conserving tropical rainforest systems. However, when forests are protected for their C stock, will the biodiversity (BD) be conserved as well? Components of forest BD may overlap to different degrees, trade off with, or be largely independent from those that intervene in C storage potential. Studies on the spatial congruence of C and BD find no consistent relationship. We argue this is probably due to the large scale analysis and the use of few BD parameters. In this project we will look into the relation between BD and C on a fine scale using data from in the Central Congo basin, an understudied region. The C stock and several species groups were sampled in up to 21 plots in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (YBR, DR Congo). We will first describe 'biodiversity', a fundamentally undefined term, with a set of BD parameters. Further, we will investigate the relationship between C and BD at both the level of the 21 study plots and, using spatial extrapolation, across the YBR as a whole. Lastly, we will assess the effect of several C conservation strategies on BD and test if it is possible to maximise both C and BD conservation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Verheyen Erik
• Fellow: Van de Perre Frederik

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Natal multimammate mouse is probably the most widespread African rodent. In West-Africa it carries Lassa virus, which can be transmitted to humans and can cause lethal haemorrhagic fever; in other regions of Africa it carries closely related arenaviruses, but these are not pathogenic to humans. These viruses seem to be restricted to certain geographic regions because they are specific to different genetic lineages of this mouse species. In Tanzania three of these lineages carrying three different non-pathogenic viruses come into contact. It is therefore the ideal place to investigate what happens to these lineages when they meet and how this affects their arenaviruses. The first will yield insights on speciation processes and the second will help to understand the geographic distribution and evolution of Lassa virus, which is crucial to predict future emergences and to plan interventions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Cuypers Laura

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

During 15 months a study will be conducted into possible management scenarios and their impact on stray cats in Flanders. The aim is to provide cities and communities with an instrument that identifies different management options for their areas. To this end, the theoretical cost-benefit model (Høgasen et al.) is adapted to the Flemish context. The project is a collaboration between the Laboratory of Ethology (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Ghent, Belgium - Prof. Christel Moons and Ciska De Ruyver), Odisee University (Belgium - Els Peeters), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (Italy - Paolo Dalla Villa), and the University of Antwerp (Belgium - Prof. Herwig Leirs and Lucinda Kirkpatrick). The project is financed by the Department of the Environment of the Flemish government.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In May 2017 an Ebola-outbreak occurred in Likati, Bas-Uélé, DR Congo. In contrast to previous outbreaks, good information was available about the identity and whereabouts of the primary case (the person acquiring the infection from nature). This offered an opportunity for targeted ecological research looking for the potential reservoir of Ebolavirus. This funding allowed a team from UAntwerpen and RBINS to take a leading role in an an expedition together with several other Congolese and international experts.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project focuses on strengthening the academic capacity of the University of Kisangani in response to and response to outbreaks of eruptive fevers in the Democratic Republic of Congo by training staff and students in epidemiology and epidemic management, and implementing a pilot project, targeting Monkeypox virus, with health personnel from the Aketi Health Zone (Bas-Uele Province). The project includes a research component concerning the zoonotic origin of the Monkeypox virus. The results of this project will lead to improved capacity to investigate and control outbreaks of eruptive fevers in the country.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Verheyen Erik

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Animal personality is the phenomenon that behaviour is consistent through time, meaning, for example, that some individuals are always more aggressive than others. Any behaviour can be defined as a personality trait, as long as it is repeatable through time, but personality traits are generally divided into five categories: boldness, exploration, activity, aggressiveness and sociability. Highly explorative individuals may be more likely to encounter mates and thus have high reproductive success, for example, but they may also be at an increased risk of encountering parasites, pathogens, and predators. These fitness costs of personality are understudied, but may have important implications for disease dynamics. Using the natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) - Morogoro arenavirus study system, I will examine the possible links between personality traits, immune functioning, and infection risk. Specifically, I will 1) establish whether M. natalensis show evidence of consistent personality traits and if any traits are correlated, 2) investigate whether host personality traits are associated with viral infections in free-living populations, 3) determine whether there is a relationship between some personality traits and immune system function, 4) experimentally test whether infection alters the expression of personality traits, and 5) use epidemiological models to explore the potential effects of personality on virus transmission dynamics in free-living populations.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Matthysen Erik
• Fellow: Vanden Broecke Bram

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research agreement between the UA and on the onther hand IWT. UA provides IWT research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change represents a major threat to biodiversity as well as to human wellbeing. Climate change mitigation strategies such as the UN-REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) program aim at protecting and enhancing biosphere carbon (C) stocks, by conserving tropical rainforest systems. However, when forests are protected for their C stock, will the biodiversity (BD) be conserved as well? Components of forest BD may overlap to different degrees, trade off with, or be largely independent from those that intervene in C storage potential. Studies on the spatial congruence of C and BD find no consistent relationship. We argue this is probably due to the large scale analysis and the use of few BD parameters. In this project we will look into the relation between BD and C on a fine scale using data from in the Central Congo basin, an understudied region. The C stock and several species groups were sampled in up to 21 plots in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (YBR, DR Congo). We will first describe 'biodiversity', a fundamentally undefined term, with a set of BD parameters. Further, we will investigate the relationship between C and BD at both the level of the 21 study plots and, using spatial extrapolation, across the YBR as a whole. Lastly, we will assess the effect of several C conservation strategies on BD and test if it is possible to maximise both C and BD conservation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Van de Perre Frederik

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Rodent infestation poses a serious threat to smallholder farmers in both developed and developing countries where a large proportion of potential crop yield is lost. In Eastern Africa, there are about 161 species of rodents; however, the major rodent pest is M. natalensis. Seasonal changes in abundance of this species are highly dependent on rainfall and in particular on the timing of the rainy season. Management of rodent pests in eastern Africa relies mostly on use of chemical rodenticides which, however, often are applied only when damage has already occurred (and thus basically too late to have a significant effect on damage) or in contrast as part of a routine treatment (meaning that they are also applied when it is not necessary). Rodenticides used in this way are rarely economically and ecologically sustainable and currently the knowledge about rodent populations on individual farms is too limited to allow smarter approaches. Only for M. natalensis in maize in areas with a bimodal rainfall system, predictive models were developed earlier, and the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture successfully uses these models to preventatively initiate rodenticide-based control when outbreaks of M. natalensis can be expected. However, there is a need to evaluate their wider applicability in other cropping systems and for other species. Ecologically based rodent management uses knowledge about the pest species' ecology in order to reduce the damage experienced by farmers. It does not see the killing of rodents as an objective, but it does not exclude any approach, including the use of rodenticides. Obviously this requires a good knowledge of the species' population biology and behavior. Therefore, as a first objective, the data from this study will refine the prediction models and test them over a wider area and different rodent pest species in east Africa. Specifically for irrigated rice, an alternative novel approach in E. Africa is the "community-based Trap-Barrier-System (cTBS)", basically a system where rodents are trapped in a rice field that is planted a short period earlier than the surrounding fields, and therefore attracting rodents from a much wider area than the field itself. The system proved very successful in irrigated rice fields in SE Asia, increasing rice yields there by 10-25%. Its success depends on the population biology, behavior and movement patterns of the rodent species that cause the damage. This knowledge is still lacking for the species causing damage in rice fields in E. Africa. Therefore, the second major objective of the study is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of Trap-Barrier-Systems in rice fields. For both objectives, data will be collected from studies describing the rodent pest community and the involved species' ecology as well as controlled experiments. The project's coordination is taken care of by a research center in Tanzania where much earlier work has been done already, but then also extends its activities to an area in Uganda where serious rodent problems are reported but where local capacity to address the research is still limited. This study will be conducted in Tanzania (Morogoro and Dodoma regions) and Uganda (along Nile River) where farmers grow maize and rice as staple food. The results from this study will be presented to the scientific community (journal articles, conference participations) but also shared with agricultural authorities and of course shareholders like small and large farms (extension leaflets, radio and TV programmes, extension workshops).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research contract awarded by the University of Antwerp. The supervisor provides the Antwerp University research mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions stipulated by the university.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Berneman Zwi
• Co-promoter: Beutels Philippe
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Van Damme Pierre

Research team(s)

• Laboratory for Experimental Hematology (LEH)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Because of the strong increase of the wild boar population in the fragmented Flemish landscape, more and more agricultural damage is reported. This agricultural damage by the wild boar is the central issue of this PhD research. An impact inventarisation will give an insight about the financial consequences of agricultural damage by wild boars. Next, a model will be developed which makes it possible to assess the specific conditions which makes agricultural fields sensible for damage by the wild boar. Also, the development of a distribution model will make it possible to estimate the future distribution of the wild boar in Flanders. The combination of these research topics will make it possible to make a risk analysis about the consequences of the wild boar for the agricultural sector.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Rutten Anneleen

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Evolutionary divergence of directly transmitted virus lineages is often thought to occur either via codivergence with their hosts or due to the micro-evolutionary processes related to isolation by distance. Yet, in case of rapidly evolving RNA viruses with reservoir hosts that have distinct habitat preferences, landscape heterogeneity may be an important factor in virus divergence. Unpreferred host habitat is, through its effect on host density, expected to pose a barrier for virus gene flow, even in the absence of genetic isolation in the host. This is a consequence of host density thresholds for successful viral transmission. This project aims to investigate the role of multi-scale landscape patterns in shaping spatiotemporal patterns of viral divergence in two distinct rodent-borne RNA viruses: Puumala hantavirus in Europe and Mopeia arenavirus in Eastern Africa. On a short-term and regional scale, we will study how local land use patterns affect viral clustering through space. On a long term and continental scale we will investigate how virus success in different genetic host groups has led to the types of viruses currently present in these rodents and how this pattern is affected by historic changes in landscape patterns.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Gouy de Bellocq Joëlle
• Co-promoter: Matthysen Erik

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The impact of A. molliculum on populations of pear psylla will be studied, together with the impact of different aspects of orchard management on the populations of A. molliculum. A phenological population dynamics model of A. molliculum will be made based on counts in orchards. The model, which uses temperature data as input, can be used by pear growers to check whether they should change the timing of certain management practices to minimalize the damage on velvet mite populations and to unburden them during sensitive periods. This way the already present -but often strongly declined- velvet mite populations will be stimulated so they can be an important factor in the battle against pear psylla.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Brenard Nathalie

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The general objective of this project is to reduce the burden of rodent pests on the livelihoods of farmer communities in Wolaita and Dawro Zones. The Development specific objectives are to document the local importance of rodents in agriculture and public health and increase awareness and preparedness among ties.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

For a better understanding of the transmission of infections, an integrative approach can prove very useful. With the ultimate aim of creating stochastic, individual-based mathematical models of the transmission of a rodent-borne virus (Mopeia virus in the African multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis), we will use laboratory as well as field experiments to collect the data necessary to feed the models. These models allow us to test fundamental epidemiological theories that have so far proven elusive to prove but are now, thanks to the unique field setup that will be used, possible to test.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Borremans Benny

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This is an interdisciplinary project submitted by a German anc! a Belgian partner with complementary expertise in vir% gy and ecology. It is concerned with studying the ec% gy of Arenaviruses that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans. Our understanding of the transmission mode and viral dynamic of Arenaviruses in wild/ife, however, is very limited. The natural reservoir of some Old Word Arenaviruses, including Lassa virus, is reported to be rats of the genus Mastomys. /n addition, it is a/so not known whether different types of Arenaviruses differ in their pathogenicity in their natural hosts. The object of th is work is to use experimental models and field work to address the issues described above. A better understanding of this issue might help us to identify the risk factor for zoonotic transmission of Arenaviruses from animals to humans.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal research agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The project investigates both the virulence and the diversity of African Mycobacterium ulcerans using different molecular biological tools to gain fundamentel insights into Buruli ulcer disease.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research agreement between the UA and on the onther hand IWT. UA provides IWT research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The aim of the project is to understand how concomitant infection with helminths and viruses affects the ecology and evolutionary outcome of host-parasite interactions. Concomitant infection, which refers to the situation where two or more infectious agents coexist in the same host, is frequent in nature (Cox 2001). The interaction between concomitant infecting parasites can modify host susceptibility, parasite load intensity and the pattern of parasite distribution within the host population (Cattadori et al. 2008). In parasite communities, the interaction can be direct, when parasites compete for the same resource (e.g. space or food), or indirect, when the host's immune response toward one parasite affects its ability to control a second parasite. Viruses and helminth parasites provoke different immune responses (TH1 in the case of viruses vs TH2 in the case of helminths) (Cox 2001). During concomitant infection there is a trade-off between these two types of responses - once the host invests in one type of response, its investment in the other is reduced leading to an indirect interaction between viruses and helminths via the host.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project aims to increase our understanding, by focussing on: 1) the infestation risk of ticks in woodland songbirds, 2) the capacity of bird-specialized ticks to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the causative agents of Lyme disease in humans, and 3) the mechanisms of the spread of ticks and their diseases by woodland songbirds. The project focuses on two common hole-breeding songbird acting as tick-hosts, and three tick species with totally different life styles that commonly parasitize terrestrial songbirds in Europe and that co-occur in woodlands.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Matthysen Erik
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Heylen Dieter

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Contrary to the large, well-mixed theoretical populations on which the spread of infectious disease has traditionally been modelled, most wildlife and human populations are socially or spatially structured into distinct groups. This is significant, as infection transmission within a structured population will also depend on group dynamics including group connectivity via individual movements. But while theoretical studies have modelled the effects of population structure and connectivity on infection dynamics, the behavioural mechanisms driving connectivity have remained largely unstudied. This project will redress this fundamental issue, using the quintessential infectious disease, plague (Yersinia pestis), and one of its major hosts, great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus), to explore how social and spatial structures within populations affect infection dynamics. Specifically, this project aims to: 1) examine how the movements of great gerbils, their predators and other secondary hosts contribute to connectivity within structured great gerbil populations, and whether there are systematic differences in these measures in different landscapes; 2) implement a large field experiment to test whether derived hypotheses of connectivity account for the spread of fleas (and potentially, therefore, of plague) through structured populations; and 3) seek complex but coherent spatial patterns in the distribution of infected groups using point pattern analyses.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Hughes Nelika

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Developmental homeostasis (or developmental buffering) is a key factor in evolutionary process because it can maintain phenotypic consistency in spite of environmental and genetic variation and because it can hide cryptic genetic variation from selection. Despite a large interest, the basis of canalization and developmental stability (DS), the two main components of developmental buffering, are little understood. The aim of the project is to investigate the relationship between canalization and DS and to gain insights into their basis by studying their patterns of variation in different model species.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Dongen Stefan
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Breno Matteo

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

For a better understanding of the transmission of infections, an integrative approach can prove very useful. With the ultimate aim of creating stochastic, individual-based mathematical models of the transmission of a rodent-borne virus (Mopeia virus in the African multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis), we will use laboratory as well as field experiments to collect the data necessary to feed the models. These models allow us to test fundamental epidemiological theories that have so far proven elusive to prove but are now, thanks to the unique field setup that will be used, possible to test.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Borremans Benny

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The evolutionary interactions of host-pathogen systems are a very interesting topic of fundamental biology, but also contribute to a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of infections. I will focus my research on Mopeia virus (MOPV), which is closely related to the dangerous human pathogen Lassa virus (LASV) and has the same rodent host, Mastomys natalensis. MOPV is not pathogenic to humans though, making research on this virus in natural populations of M. natalensis much more feasible. I am aiming to identify the basis of the MOPV-M. natalensis interaction, by performing infection experiments in a laboratory population of M. natalensis and by genotyping different strains of MOPV. After this, I will analyse the variability of these loci in host and virus genome in natural populations through time and space.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Gouy de Bellocq Joëlle
• Fellow: Gryseels Sophie

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

We aim to investigate space-time genetic variation of PUUV in Belgium and how it is linked to heterogeneity in PUUV transmission efficiency, persistence and potential micro-evolutionary patterns. Second, we want to identify the ecological drivers of the observed PUUV variation, taking into account reservoir host genetics.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Helsen Sanne

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a formal service agreement between UA and on the other hand VLIR. UA provides VLIR research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The European beaver (Castor fiber) was illegally reintroduced after an absence of more than one century. I will examine which habitat parameters are the most important for settling and determine which areas are suitable but unoccupied. Then I'll evaluate how easy/difficult these suitable areas can be reached. The effect of river characteristics on the dam building behavior will be analysed. Finally, we will determine a number of areas in Flanders where the dams potentially cause the most economical damage.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Swinnen Kristijn

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

We want to investigate the biological, ecological and epidemiological components of vector-borne diseases (VBD) introduction, emergence and spread, and to propose innovative tools for controlling them, building on the basis of acquired knowledge. Human behaviour and risk perception are an important component of VBD introduction, emergence and spread. The consequences triggered by VBD for human and veterinary public health in Europe are just starting to emerge in public awareness. We will also account for this aspect of human and veterinary public health in our project.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The main objective of het project is to get baseline reference data on the C stocks and biodiversity in pristine and intervened dense tropical forests of the Congo Basin and to increase our understanding in the relationship between both variables as a function of forest management (and the likelihood that the societies will preserve these stocks in the long-term).

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Arenaviruses are viruses normally carried by rodents. Some of them are highly pathogenic to humans. They are divided into the New World (NW) and the Old World (OW) groups. Until recently, it was assumed that arenaviruses stay with the rodent species in which they are found (co-speciation). While a recent study on NW arenaviruses did not find any evidence to support this assumption, the only existing study on OW arenaviruses is not convincing one way or the other. Recent discoveries of new arenaviruses suggest that their evolutionary history is more subtle than previously thought with possible transfers between species depending on the relatedness of the hosts. My project aims to i) analyze a large number of existing rodent samples from East Africa to discover new arenaviruses and test the limits of host specificity; ii) sequence new strains/species of arenaviruses starting with two I found during my first FWO postdoctoral mandate. With this expanded data on OW arenaviruses, I will analyze the processes generating variation in arenaviruses and test for co-speciation and transfer events. I will also test for signals of the selective effect arenaviruses have on their hosts by analyzing polymorphism of the host cell receptor gene of OW arenaviruses.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Matthysen Erik
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Gouy de Bellocq Joëlle

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Les obiectifs orincioaux sont de continuer a arneliorer le niveau scientifiaue dans le domaine de la biolonie des rongeurs notamment c o m e vecteurs de maladies et ravageurs des cultures ; de faciliter la recherche des etudiants et doctorants sur place; de creer une nouvelle synergie entre les commuoautes scientifiques intemationales, nationales et locales par la mise a disposition des oeuvres publiees a Kisangani.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Verheyen Erik

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The aim of this project is to study host specialization and genetic structure in an ecologically specialized tick species, I. arboricola. This project will deliver novel insights into the evolution of host specialization in ticks and more generally in parasites, and the role of different mechanisms herein. In addition we will obtain detailed insights in host selection, transmission and dispersal in a group of ectoparasites with high societal relevance.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Matthysen Erik
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This is a fundamental research project financed by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO). The project was subsidized after selection by the FWO-expert panel.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Dongen Stefan
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Breno Matteo

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The evolutionary interactions of host-pathogen systems are a very interesting topic of fundamental biology, but also contribute to a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of infections. I will focus my research on Mopeia virus (MOPV), which is closely related to the dangerous human pathogen Lassa virus (LASV) and has the same rodent host, Mastomys natalensis. MOPV is not pathogenic to humans though, making research on this virus in natural populations of M. natalensis much more feasible. I am aiming to identify the basis of the MOPV-M. natalensis interaction, by performing infection experiments in a laboratory population of M. natalensis and by genotyping different strains of MOPV. After this, I will analyse the variability of these loci in host and virus genome in natural populations through time and space.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Gouy de Bellocq Joëlle
• Fellow: Gryseels Sophie

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Hantaviruses and their rodent/insectivore hosts are often taken as textbook examples of parasite-host co-evolution. But after closer scrutiny, this relationship is actually not that straightforward: the genetic variation within hantavirus lineages shows topological patterns that are considerably different from those of the hosts. In Europe this could possibly be related to the recolonization pattern since the last ice age, but the reasons behind this pattern remain to be elucidated. The purpose of our study would be to try to unravel the evolutionary drivers (e.g. local adaptation and exctinction, co-speciation, host-switching,..) and their relative roles in shaping the current geographic and allelic distribution of the European hantaviruses and their hosts. The work will be done in close co-operation with several specialized research groups (a.o. the Center of Biology and Management of Populations in Montpellier), utilizing state-of-the-art methods in molecular evolutionary genetics.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Borremans Benny

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project represents a research agreement between the UA and on the onther hand IWT. UA provides IWT research results mentioned in the title of the project under the conditions as stipulated in this contract.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Rodent population density changes at spatial and temporal scales due to environmental conditions, habitat type and interactions with the same or different species. It is important to understand the dynamics of these changes in northern Ethiopia. Objectives: (i) To establish habitat utilization of rodents in agricultural/non agricultural landscapes (ii) To investigate the population dynamics of rodent species (iii) To establish the burden of disease pathogens and the temporal variations of zoonotic agents in the rodent populations

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: D'Haese Luc

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This is a fundamental research project financed by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO). The project was subsidized after selection by the FWO-expert panel.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Crespin Laurent
• Co-promoter: Van Gossum Hans

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Changing environmental conditions (e.g. climate) are likely to affect the ecology of infections, through changes in the abundance of susceptible natural host populations or by affecting transmission rates (directly or through vectors). This project investigates these effects, through observations, experiments and mathematical modelling, for five model infections selected for their different characteristics (hantaviruses in voles, plague in gerbils, arenavirus in African mice, dengue fever in humans, rotaviruses in vaccinated humans). The insights are used to evaluate potential changes in burden of disease, with or without control measures.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Beutels Philippe
• Co-promoter: Van Damme Pierre
• Co-promoter: Verhagen Ron

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Earwigs, Forficula auricularia (L.) (Dermaptera, Forficulidae), are very important predators in fruit orchards. They are capable of suppressing outbreaks of pest species like pear psyllid and different aphid species, in apple and pear orchards. Earwigs could play an important role in integrated fruit orchards en could be an essential key factor in organic fruit growing. However, earwig populations are very unstable with large interannual variations in population size. Therefore, their practical use in control strategies stays very limited. To find solutions for this problem we are building a population model which will allow us to analyse the population with sensitivity analysis, so that critical periods in the life-cycle could be identified as targets for interventionbs. This should result into an optimal orchard management were abiotic and biotic factors and the impact of human actions on the earwig population are taken into account. The existing biological information needed to create such a model is not sufficient, especially where it concerns interactions with other species. Using a combination of field -and lab experiments, we will collect information about the model parameters for such interactions. In this project we will focus mainly on density dependent factors, like parasitism (by tachinids), predation, intra- and interspecific competition.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Moerkens Rob

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The project is aimed at capacity development at the Department of Wildlife Management at the Sokoine University of Agriculture, in teaching as well as in research. This will be done by improving the zoology laboratory facilities, training Ph.D.- and M.Sc.-students and supporting studies on wildlife ecology and human-wildlife interactions in and around the recently established Saadani National Park. The vertebrate thuna of the park will be inventoried and the ecology of selected model species will be studied. This park is confronted by a number of ecological threats that are related to human livelihood issueg in neighboüring conununities such as blockage of wildlife migratory corridors, habitat loss and use of natural resources. Given the complexities of the threats, both ecological and social studies are crucial. The project will investigate the possible causes, éffects and costs of conflict between local social actors and the park. The specific developmental objective of the project is thus to create a scientific basis for better management of the Saadani ecosystem, within and around the park, while the overall academie objective is to attain academie excellence in wildlife management research and training at SUA.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Verhagen Ron

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Kennis Jan

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Buruli ulcer (BU), a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is endemic in Ghana. Until now little research has been carried out in Ghana to identify the reservoir of this disease. This project aims at carrying out research in order to acquire knowledge about the reservoir and mode(s) of transmission of BU in Ghana allowing the development of prevention strategies. This will lead to a sustainable decrease in morbidity of BU. The research will contribute to developing and promoting NMIMR as a recognised "centre of excellence" for the integrated study of BU at a high academic standard.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In this initiative we will disseminate information on the topic of rodent control in agricultural fields. We aim to spread recently obtained research results with a strong potential for practical implementation. Hereby we will create, for the very first time, the possibility for village executive offiers, district officers, the agricultural officers form the Rodent Control Centre and the researchers from SUA and UA to meet all together and to exchange their respective experiences and their know-hows about the topic.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The objectives of the project are to investigate i) the spatio-temporal patterns of MV occurrence in relation to M. natalensis dynamics and environmental factors in Tanzania and ii) the role of MV in the evolution of the reservoir host populations. More specifically, I will address the following questions : 1-Is there a spatio-temporal pattern in the occurrence of MV among M. natalensis populations in relation to their population dynamics? 2-What demographic traits influence the probability of an individual rat being or becoming virus antibody positive? 3- What habitat features are correlated to the presence of MV? 4- What is the evolutionary impact of MV on its host populations, especially on the MHC polymorphism?

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Gouy de Bellocq Joëlle

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Earwigs, Forficula auricularia (L.) (Dermaptera, Forficulidae), are very important predators in fruit orchards. They are capable of suppressing outbreaks of pest species like pear psyllid and different aphid species, in apple and pear orchards. Earwigs could play an important role in integrated fruit orchards en could be an essential key factor in organic fruit growing. However, earwig populations are very unstable with large interannual variations in population size. Therefore, their practical use in control strategies stays very limited. To find solutions for this problem we are building a population model which will allow us to analyse the population with sensitivity analysis, so that critical periods in the life-cycle could be identified as targets for interventionbs. This should result into an optimal orchard management were abiotic and biotic factors and the impact of human actions on the earwig population are taken into account. The existing biological information needed to create such a model is not sufficient, especially where it concerns interactions with other species. Using a combination of field ¿and lab experiments, we will collect information about the model parameters for such interactions. In this project we will focus mainly on density dependent factors, like parasitism (by tachinids), predation, intra- and interspecific competition.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Moerkens Rob

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Bubonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is a zoonose that prevails in small mammals and is transmitted by their ectoparasites, i.e. fleas. The disease occurs in natural foci spread all over the world. Up to present, the ecology of plague is still unknown; more specifically, the mechanisms that determine the presence of bubonic plague in specific regions are not well understood. This study aims at (1) contributing to the better understanding of the mechanisms that determine the presence of plague in certain regions, (2) establishing underlying ecological factors that influence the occurrence of plague and (3) identifying areas of potential plague risk in Africa. However, there is only little scientific knowledge to go by, it is difficult to formulate specific hypotheses, and consequently, also difficult to stipulate an exact scale level to work on. Therefore, the phenomena plague is studied on three different scale levels. On the first level ¿ the continental level -, the distribution of plague is considered on the continent Africa. During the last decades, Africa was characterized by a very high percentage (more then 90%) of all human plague cases. The plague problem is approached by means of a recent technique used in research concerning the ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases, Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM). Ecological niches and potential geographic distributions are modelled using the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Prediction (GARP). In general GARP focuses on modelling ecologic conditions wherein a species, in this case bubonic plague, can maintain populations without immigration. Specifically, GARP relates ecological characteristics of occurrence points to those of points sampled randomly from the rest of the study region, developing a series of decision rules that best summarize factors associated with presence. As a final result, potential plague distribution areas are identified and demarcated. On the second level, the same ENM-approach is practiced for two endemic plague regions (Lushoto district, in Tanzania and Ituri district, in DRCongo) and their surroundings with this distinction that the resolution from the environmental GIS coverages is higher. In this way, other environmental variables could be studied and moreover, we could examine them in more detail. In addition, specific attention can be drawn to the transition between the plague region and their surroundings. Finally, on the third level, we focus on some villages in Lushoto district. Abiotic and biotic characteristics (soil characteristics like texture, soil humidity, soil temperature, etc.; landscape connectivity; rodent and flea species composition, climatic variables; population density in the villages and their hamlets; etc.) are collected and compared in some plague-positive and plague-negative villages in order to establish underlying ecological variables that are (partly) responsible for the presence of plague in a village.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Neerinckx Simon

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project uses the land snail Succinea putris to test several recent hypotheses on sexual selection and sperm-trading in hermaphroditic animals: 1) individuals assess the quality of their partner even during copulation, 2) individuals change the physiology of their partner to enhance their fertilization chances, 3) individuals allocate more to male structures at higher population densities and 4) reciprocal sperm-transfer not necessarily implements reciprocal fertilization.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Jordaens Kurt

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Van Gossum Hans

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Kennis Jan

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Morphological development is affected by deterministic (environment and genotype) and stochastic (developmental stability and canalisation) components. The latter potentially relates to stress and may play an important role in evolutionary processes. In this project the effects of foodstress on developmental stability and canalisation will be studied using the skull of the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) as model system. The genetic basis of the stochastic components will be investigated.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Dongen Stefan
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Rodents are responsible for substantial damage to food and cash crops worldwide. Although several species are recognized as pests, there are no quantified estimates of crop losses due to rodents in most of Ethiopia. The presence of refuge habitats may have impact on the neighbouring fields with crops. Stone bunds are a farming and land management system with several advantages including soil and water conservation, increased yields of crops and a more sustainable farming practice. However, it is also claimed by farmers that the system has created good habitats for rodents. Control measures are taken only when rodent population densities are high and heavy damage is noticed in the field. In the proposed study, we will investigate the importance of rodents in fields with and without stone bunds and determine whether rodent problems undermine the advantages of increased crop yields in the stone bund fields. Further, the study shall examine the most appropriate strategies for management of rodents in these systems and how they can be integrated in an easy to adopt package.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: D'Haese Luc

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

In the proposed project, we will investigate the hypotheses that the ecological factors responsible for the focality are the rodent and flea fauna composition and density, soil composition, microclimate (humidity, temperature, exposure), connectivity of the landscape or a combination of such elements. Testing these hypotheses will help us in understanding how pathogens spread (or are limited) within a host population. This will in turn be a basis to develop risk maps that can predict areas where plague could possibly establish itself permanently, or where human plague is more likely to occur.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The objective of this proposal is to complete the study of rodent-borne diseases by establishing an evolutionary framework of the host pathogen interactions. The phylogeography of the African multimammate mouse M. natalensis, reservoir for arenaviruses and other pathogens, will be realised using molecular markers. The results will be used to reconstruct the relationships among M. natalensis populations and investigate the co-evolution between M. natalensis and arenaviruses.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

To determine the role of rodents and insectivores in the epidemiology of mycobacterial infections in Africa, a large number of small mammals is captured in sites in Tanzania where mycobacterial infections are reported in humans and livestock. Different organs of these animals are tested using culture methods, PCR and acid fast staining. The isolated mycobacteria are compared with previously isolated mycobacteria in humans and livestock.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Durnez Lies

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Kennis Jan

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Despite the fact that several African murines are known to spread diseases, and that some taxa are responsible for the destruction to the crops of African farmers, the taxonomy of these species is poorly known. The objective of this proposal is to combine craniometric and molecular methods to delimit and characterize some of these pest species. The result will be a tool ('DNA barcode) that allows the fast and accurate identification of these taxa, a precondition for their effective management.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Lavrenchenko Leonid

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Mastomys mice are the most important rodent pests in Africa. An existing, but site-restricted bio-economical model will be validated, for the first time under real field conditions and in cooperation with local farmers. Regional variation in population dynamics will be included in the model through the demographic analysis of existing capture-recapture data from 4 countries. The final model will provide a tool to formulate economical control strategies.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Sluydts Vincent

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Mycobacteria can cause a variety of diseases, e.g. leprosy, tuberculosis and Buruli ulcer. Control of mycobacterial diseases is important because of the rising number of HIV-infected patients, especially in developing countries. Rodents can be a reservoir for mycobacteria and therefore a source of infection for humans and livestock. However, it is not yet clear how prevalent mycobacterial infections are in rodents and what their possible role is in the transmission of these infections. A better insight in the role of rodents will contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of mycobacterial infections in densely populated areas with low levels of hygiene, e.g. in and around expanding cities in Africa. In this study we will try to make an inventory of the mycobacterial flora in rodents caught in and around an African city. The isolated strains will be compared, using molecular techniques, with mycobacteria isolated from humans and livestock. Until now, natural reservoirs have been poorly investigated, earlier studies focus primarily on either humans or livestock. In this study we include livestock because of its economical importance but mainly because it is a well documented source of infection for zoonotic tuberculosis. The final objective is to come to a better control of the disease with better control strategies through a better understanding of the ecology of these infections.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Durnez Lies

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The project aims to offer the University of Kisangani the opportunity to (re)build its international contacts. This will be done through a pilot project in the department of biology, studying the rodent biodiversity in the Kisangani area, changes in this fauna due to deforestation and rodents' role as pest species in agriculture. It is expected that this project, besides its own scientific value, also will support the new dynamism within UNIKIS.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

For decades the relative importance of environmental (density-independent) factors and system intrinsic feedback mechanisms (density dependence) in determining population dynamics have been debated among ecologists. Small mammal populations have been intensely studied, stimulated by the remarkable cycles that were observed in voles and lemmings in the holarctic region. More southward, small mammal populations are not cyclic and these have received less attention. Population outbreaks of small rodents in western South America and eastern Africa (such as the leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis darwini and the African multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis) are correlated with years of unusually high rainfall and increased primary production. The population dynamic patterns however appear to be very different. Both small rodents respond positively to rainfall pulses, but there are important differences in the seasonal, density-dependent and density-independent structures. In the African multimammate mouse, the density-dependent processes are of first order, suggesting a direct effect of density on population growth. The existence of delayed density-dependence in leaf-eared mouse in Chile may imply some trophic interaction with predators. In order to understand the consequences of these differences, we will investigate how demographic processes respond to environmental variability for populations having direct and delayed density-dependencies of varying strength. In addition, we need to understand the functional dependence of population growth rate on the degree of variation in demographic rates and to understand how these demographic rates have varied in the past.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Although, sexual variation is traditionally understood as being any difference exhibited between males and females, evolution has often resulted in the coexistence of alternative reproductive morphs within the sexes. Significant progress has been made in understanding within species coexistence of discrete male colour morphs, while female polymorphism is less understood. Typically, one of the female damselfly morphs is coloured like the male, while the other morphs are different. While one group of researchers argue that male-like females are functionally male mimics, others believe that males predominantly mate with the most common female morph in the population. Importantly, both field and experimental (using different insectaries with a range of densities and frequencies) studies support a relationship between population conditions (density, sex ratio, morph frequency) and morph-specific fitness correlates (i.e. survival, mating success). However, in order to explain the maintenance of female polymorphism, differences in morph-specific fitness should be encountered if fluctuations occur in population conditions. Unfortunately, only very limited information on spatial and temporal fluctuations in population conditions and related morph-specific costs and benefits is available. Our current understandings of emergence, maintenance and disappearance of multiple female morphs are even more limited. One way to examine the evolution of female polymorphism is to consider closely related species with known phylogenetic relationships. If species differ in presence/absence of multiple female morphs and in ecology then inspection of the phylogenetic tree will contribute to our understandings of female polymorphism.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Van Gossum Hans

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Davis Stephen

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Fellow: Van Gossum Hans

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Maintenance of genetic variation is a central aim to long-term management of free-living populations. Estimates of effective population size and gene flow often require assumptions on equilibrium between mutation, gene flow and drift, and are not applicable to strongly fluctuating or decreasing populations. In this project we use time series of genetic samples of birds and mammals to test methods calculating genetic parameters in non-equilibrium conditions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig
• Co-promoter: Verhagen Ron

Research team(s)

• Evolutionary ecology group (EVECO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The general objectives of this project are (1) to quantify the relations between fragmentation, dispersal and genetic variation, and (2) to investigate the relation between genetic variation in a population and individual fitness. More specifically, we want to test the hypothesis that an increase in relatedness between individuals (inbreeding) is correlated with a reduction in reproductive success, and investigate whether this influences the dynamics of the population.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project is situated in the frame of the investigation of phenomena of dispersion with rodents. Immigrants intruding upon a population can withdraw themselves again, can successfully establish or die. By means of classical catching methods it is however not possible to discern these processes and to follow up the course of them. With the aid of a new technique which automatically registrates which animals enter or leave the population and by means of radio-telemetry this will made possible.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verheyen Walter
• Co-promoter: Leirs Herwig

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

• Research Project