Shaun J. Dergousoff, PhD
Researching the biology and ecology of arthropods that are livestock pests and vectors of livestock pathogens.
Current research and/or projects
- Tick distributions, sampling and surveillance
- Identification of hosts of mosquitoes in Alberta
- Detection and identification of immature stages of biting midges
Research and/or project statements
Arthropods (such as ticks, mosquitoes, biting midges, and horn flies) cause direct injury or transmit pathogens, affecting the health and welfare of livestock. This can reduce the competitiveness of different sectors, such as beef and dairy cattle and sheep, through production losses and trade barriers. Addressing endemic and emerging arthropod-borne threats to livestock production requires accurate risk assessments and the development of effective mitigation and control strategies. These strategies must be based on an understanding of the biological and environmental factors that affect direct injuries and the transmission of pathogens.
Our research focusses on biological and ecological features to better understand the interaction between the arthropod and the environment, and its vertebrate hosts to address endemic and emerging arthropod-based threats to livestock health and production due to direct effects of blood-feeding and pathogen transmission. Current studies are examining biological and environmental factors that determine the distribution and abundance of ticks, occurrence of tick paralysis in livestock, and the host range of mosquitoes and midges. We are also interested in developing tools that accurately detect and identify the water-associated stages of biting midges. The overall goal of this research is to inform risk assessments and aid the development of effective mitigation and control strategies to prevent or reduce animal health issues and livestock production losses.
Professional activities / interests
- Livestock pests
- Ticks
- Mosquitoes
- Biting midges
- Tick paralysis
- Molecular detection and identification of arthropod species
Education and awards
PhD, Biology (vector ecology), University of Saskatchewan (2011)
BSc (Honours), Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, (1997)
Key publications
-
Lysyk, T. J., Rochon, K., and Dergousoff, S. J. (2020) “Oviposition patterns of Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) in relation to the northern limits of its geographic distribution”. Entomological Society of America annual meeting, online conference; November 16-19, 2020 (invited oral presentation).
2020 - View publication details
-
Namgyal, J., Couloigner, I., Lysyk, T.J., Dergousoff, S.J., Cork, S.C. (2020). Comparison of habitat suitability models for haemaphysalis longicornis neumann in North America to determine its potential geographic range. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, [online] 17(21), 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218285
2020 - View publication details
-
Chilton, N.B., Dergousoff, S.J., Brzezowska, V., Trost, C.N., Dunlop, D.R. (2020). American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) as biological indicators of an association between the enteric bacterium moellerella wisconsensis and striped skunks (mephitis mephitis) in Southwestern Manitoba, Canada. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, [online] 56(4), 918-921. http://dx.doi.org/10.7589/2019-09-224
2020 - View publication details
-
Diyes, C. P., Dergousoff, S. J., Chilton, N. B. (2019) “Reproductive capabilities and larval survival of American dog tick in Saskatchewan”. Graduate Student Symposium, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK; April 9, 2019 (oral presentation).
2019 - View publication details
-
Joel Hutcheson, H., Robbin Lindsay, L., Dergousoff, S.J. (2019). Haemaphysalis longicornis: a tick of considerable importance, now established in North America, 110(1), 118-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0152-4
2019 - View publication details
-
Chilton, N.B., Dergousoff, S.J., Lysyk, T.J. (2018). Prevalence of Anaplasma bovis in Canadian populations of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor andersoni. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, [online] 9(6), 1528-1531. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.07.003
2018 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S.J., Lysyk, T.J., Kutz, S.J., Lejeune, M., Elkin, B.T. (2016). Human-Assisted Dispersal Results in the Northernmost Canadian Record of the American Dog Tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Ixodida: Ixodidae), 126(2), 132-137. http://dx.doi.org/10.3157/021.126.0209
2016 - View publication details
-
Lysyk, T.J., Dergousoff, S.J. (2016). Can subclinical infestation by paralyzing dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) induce immunity to tick paralysis in sheep?, 53(3), 496-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjv248
2016 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S.J. and Lysyk, T.J. (2015). "Induction of resistance to paralysis in sheep following subclinical exposure to virulent Dermacentor andersoni.", Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting 2015, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
2015 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S.J., Lysyk, T.J., Chilton, N., and Rochon, K. (2015). "Geographic distribution and abundance of Dermacentor andersoni and Dermacentor variabilis in Western Canada.", Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting 2015, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
2015 - View publication details
-
Lysyk, T.J. and Dergousoff, S.J. (2015). "Can subclinical infestation by paralyzing Dermacentor andersoni induce resistance to paralysis in sheep?", Society for Vector Ecology Annual Meeting 2015, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
2015 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S.J. and Chilton, N. (2016). "Ticks on small mammals at two localities in southern Saskatchewan, Canada and the detection of Rickettsia peacockii (Rickettsiaceae) in Dermacentor andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs.", The Canadian Entomologist, 148(1), pp. 43-51. doi : 10.4039/tce.2015.39
2015 - View publication details
-
Lysyk, T.J., Dergousoff, S.J. (2014). Distribution of Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Alberta, Canada, 51(3), 560-571. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME13239
2014 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S.J. and Lysyk, T.J. (2013). "Overwintering survival of two strains of Dermacentor andersoni.", International Congress of Vector Ecology, Palm Springs, California, USA.
2013 - View publication details
-
Lysyk, T.J. and Dergousoff, S. (2013). "Variation in vectorial capacity of C. sonorensis for Bluetongue virus in Alberta.", International Congress of Vector Ecology, Palm Springs, California, USA.
2013 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S., Rochon, K., and Lysyk, T.J. (2012). "Distribution of Dermacentor andersoni in Alberta.", 56th Livestock Insect Workers' Conference, Red Lion Hotel, Kalispell, MT, USA, June 24-27, 2012.
2012 - View publication details
-
Dergousoff, S.J., Rochon, K., and Lysyk, T.J. (2012). "Distribution and abundance of Dermacentor andersoni in Alberta, Canada.", 2012 Annual Meeting of the Society of Vector Ecology, St. Augustine, FL, USA, September 23-27, 2012.
2012 - View publication details
Contact
Research facility
ORCIDExpertise
Affiliations
University of Saskatchewan, Department of Biology (adjunct professor)
University of Calgary (Host-Parasite Interaction group)
University of Manitoba, Department of Entomology (adjunct professor)