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Graduation Term

Summer 2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

School of Biological Sciences

Committee Chair

Ben Sadd

Committee Member

Pirmin Nietlisbach

Committee Member

Jan Dahl

Committee Member

Adam Dolezal

Committee Member

Ann Tate

Abstract

Global change in natural environments present a challenge to the performance and persistence of species of huge economic and ecological concern. As a rising consequence of global change, emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are touted as potential drivers of many wildlife declines, including multiple North American bumble bees (Bombus spp.). Bumble bees not only serve a functional role for numerous native plant communities around the globe, but in the United States, they are a multi-billion-dollar asset to the agricultural industry through their pollination services. Although we recognize that pathogen-related declines are concerning, management efforts prove difficult considering that infectious diseases vary considerably in nature and outcome. A principle tenet of ecological immunology may explain such variation. For instance, patterns of disease spread may be explained by variation in host resistance to infection, which can be attributed in part to the cost of immunity, including both the evolution and deployment of effective immune defense. Understanding host defense against pathogens, and subsequent disease outcomes more broadly, requires an extensive examination of not only the underlying benefits and costs of immune activation for hosts against invading pathogens, but also the influence of native microbiota that may offer additional benefits to their hosts. My dissertation teases apart this tripartite interaction in three chapters addressing 1) the capacity for viral EID defense through immune priming, 2) how native microbiota influence the cost of immune defense, and 3) a comparative approach of species susceptibility to a viral pathogen. The findings from my dissertation will not only prove invaluable to imperiled pollinator protection, but also further enhance our understanding of important concepts in ecological immunology.

Access Type

Dissertation-ISU Access Only

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD.1763755358.480447

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