Ungulates as model systems for the study of disease processes in natural populations.

ABSTRACT: Parasites and pathogens are a fundamental driving force in the ecology and evolution of mammalian populations, and understanding disease processes in natural populations is an urgent priority in the face of increased rates of infectious disease emergence. In this review, we argue that mammalogists are uniquely placed to contribute to addressing these challenges because in-depth knowledge of mammal species is fundamental to the development of wild model systems that could accelerate discovery in disease ecology. The use of animal models-species for which a broad range of diagnostic, molecular, and genetic tools have been developed-in tightly controlled laboratory environments has been instrumental in driving progress in the biomedical sciences. However, in natural populations, disease proce

SUBMITTER: Jolles AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7107476 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature