West Nile Virus activity in central Iowa bird populations and the utility of wildlife rehabilitation centers in monitoring wildlife disease

iv CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Thesis Organization 5 Literature Cited 5 CHAPTER 2. A TEN-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF AVIAN 8 POPULATION TRENDS FROM WILDLIFE REHABILITATION SUBMISSIONS Abstract 8 Introduction 9 Materials and Methods 11 Results 13 Discussion 19 Acknowledgements 24 Literature Cited 24 CHAPTER 3. WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTERS IN 27 DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING Abstract 27 Introduction 28 Materials and Methods 31 Results 34 Discussion 35 Acknowledgements 38 Literature Cited 39 CHAPTER 4. VARIATION OF WEST NILE VIRUS EXPOSURE 42 IN AVIAN SPECIES WITH LAND USE Abstract 42 Introduction 43 Materials and Methods 45 Results 49 Discussion 52 Acknowledgements 57 Literature Cited 58 CHAPTER 5. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 62 APPENDIX A. MAP OF STUDY AREA 65