Data Set Citation:
When using this data, please cite the data package:
NCEAS 3820 : Altizer: Understanding the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in mammalian mating and social systems , National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis , Altizer S , and Nunn C.
The Global Mammal Parasite Database
connolly.132.4 (http://knb.ecoinformatics.org/knb/metacat/connolly.132.4/nceas)
General Information:
Title:The Global Mammal Parasite Database
Identifier:connolly.132.4
Abstract:
The Global Mammal Parasite Database is a compilation of records of parasites and their hosts that have been documented in the published scientific literature. Mammals are an extremely well-studied group of animals, and there are thousands of published reports and scientific studies describing their parasites and the abundance of parasites in wild populations.Wehave systematically searched the literature on mammalian parasites to produce three primary databases covering primates, carnivores and terrestrial hooved mammals (which includes all perissodactyls and artiodactyls). All of the entries in this database come from wild populations. In the future we will be expanding our taxonomic coverage to other groups of mammals.
Keywords:
  • mammals
  • parasites
  • host-parasite interactions
  • parasite diversity
  • diseases
  • primates
  • carnivores
  • Artiodactyla
  • Perrisodactyla
  • cetaceans
  • bats

Involved Parties

Data Set Creators:
Organization:NCEAS 3820 : Altizer: Understanding the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in mammalian mating and social systems
Organization:National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis
Individual: Sonia Altizer
Individual: Charlie Nunn
Data Set Contacts:
Individual: Charlie Nunn
Organization:Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley
Address:
Berkeley, CA USA
Email Address:
cnunn@socrates.berkeley.edu
Web Address:
http://www.phylodiversity.net/cnunn/
Individual: Sonia Altizer
Organization:Dept. of Environmental Studies, Emory University
Address:
Atlanta, GA
Email Address:
saltize@emory.edu
Web Address:
http://www.envs.emory.edu/Faculty/altizer.html
Associated Parties:
Individual: Andrew Cunningham
Individual: Vanessa Ezenwa
Individual: Patrik Lindenfors
Individual: Mary Poss
Individual: Janis Antonovics
Individual: Andrew Dobson
Individual: John Gittleman
Individual: Kate Jones
Individual: Amy Pedersen
Individual: Peter Thrall

Data Set Characteristics

Geographic Region:
Geographic Description:Worldwide
Bounding Coordinates:
West:  -166.375  degrees
East:  168.75  degrees
North:  79.5  degrees
South:  -59.5  degrees

Sampling, Processing and Quality Control Methods

Step by Step Procedures
Step 1:  
Description:

Finding the information

To create the Global Mammal Parasite Database, the parasite data was compiled as individual records of micro- or macroparasites reported in free-living primate species by using primate Latin binomials as search keywords in the major online reference databases. Details are provided for each of the databases, but in general, we searched by primate genus name and common taxonomic variants. In addition to using electronic databases, we also examined edited volumes, reviews, and studies that were cited by publications that we located in our first round of searches. For some of the databases (e.g., primates), we are continuing to update our files and welcome information you may have on parasites in wild species.
Step 2:  
Description:

Generating the data

Once we locate a reference, members of our team review it, looking for specific pieces of information. After confirming that the parasite was sampled from the wild, we record host and parasite taxonomy, the type of parasite (virus, protozoan, fungi, arthropod, helminth, bacteria), the number of hosts sampled, and location and year of sampling. When possible, we also record the primary mode of parasite transmission, symptomsand effects on host mortality or morbidity, the prevalence and intensity of infection, and any age or sex differences that may be reported.

Data Set Usage Rights

Access Control:
Auth System:knb
Order:denyFirst
Metadata download: Ecological Metadata Language (EML) File