The data were collected to determine the density and abundance of prairie dogs in relation to treatment with vaccine or placebo baits and the occurrence of plague.

Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data for use in estimating BTPD survival. The first data set (CMR_SPV_RAW_CAPTURE_DATA.csv) lists all captures and associated covariates with each line representing data from a single prairie dog. The second data set (CMR_BTPD_WEIGHTS.csv) lists the weight and associated information for each prairie dog at each handling. The third data set (CMR_FLEAS_BY_HOST.csv) lists the number of fleas collected from each prairie dog at each handling. Funding was provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, multiple USGS sources, grants from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and World Wildlife Fund.

Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data for use in estimating BTPD survival. The first data set (CMR_SPV_RAW_CAPTURE_DATA.csv) lists all captures and associated covariates with each line representing data from a single prairie dog. The second data set (CMR_BTPD_WEIGHTS.csv) lists the weight and associated information for each prairie dog at each handling. The third data set (CMR_FLEAS_BY_HOST.csv) lists the number of fleas collected from each prairie dog at each handling. Funding was provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, multiple USGS sources, grants from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and World Wildlife Fund.

Oral sylvatic plague vaccine baits (SPV) and placebo baits, each containing Rhodamine B dye biomarker, were distributed once annually from 2013-2016 on treated and non-treated paired plots from 2013-2016. Black-tailed prairie dogs (BTPD) were live-trapped and permanently marked with passive integrated transponders and ear tags on 4 pairs of plots each year from 2013-2017 to provide capture/recapture data. Capture locations were recorded using global positioning systems. Hair and whisker samples were pulled from each prairie dog to assess bait uptake (i.e. consumption) using a florescent microscope to inspect the samples for Rhodamine B florescence. The first data set (CMR_MOVEMENT_DATA.csv) lists distances (meters) between capture locations from a single prairie dog within a given year, with the data limited to prairie dogs with 2 or more capture locations (one distance measurement per pair of 2 locations per year). The second data set (CMR_BAIT_UPTAKE.csv) lists bait uptake outcomes for individual prairie dogs each year. Funding was provided through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, multiple USGS sources, grants from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and World Wildlife Fund.

Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance on prairie dogs, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA, 2003-2005. Prairie dog species (PDspecies in the data file) included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah. Field research was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, and colleagues. We used summertime visual counts as an index to PD densities (Pddensity in the data file). For each plot, we counted PDs using binoculars and/or spotting scopes from a single location outside the plot that gave the best view of the entire plot and repeated these counts on three (usually consecutive) days. We began counts just after sunrise and continued to conduct repeated systematic scans of the plot until the counts declined to about half the peak number (usually by late morning as PDs went below ground for their typical mid-day break). We converted the counts to density estimates (counts per hectare [ha]).The estimate we used to calculate density was the highest count obtained from a plot for the 3 days within a given year. We analyzed data from colonies experiencing a plague epizootic during this particular study (with an epizootic defined as greater than or equal to 90% decline in PD density). We indexed annual population change (PDpopchgProportion in the data file) by subtracting the count density estimate of the year before a plague epizootic (t1) from the density estimate during an epizootic (t2) for each plot, and dividing that by the density estimate from t1 to summarize population change as a proportionate change. We evaluated the correlation between PD population change and PD density in year t1, because negative plague-effects and the intensity of population decline may be greatest when PD densities are high in year t1 (a potential "density dependent" phenomenon discussed in a wide range of literature on disease ecology). We also evaluated the correlation between PD population change and flea abundance in year t1, because rates of plague transmission and, therefore, PD mortality are expected to increase with increasing flea densities. To assess flea abundance (PDfleas in the data file), we combed live-trapped PDs and counted the number of fleas on each PD. The PDs were live-trapped, individually marked with ear tags, and combed as thoroughly as possible for 30 seconds (s) to collect fleas. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. For each plot and year, we used the average value of flea counts (defined as flea abundance).

Data on prairie dog densities, flea abundance on prairie dogs, and plague epizootics in Montana and Utah, USA, 2003-2005. Prairie dog species (PDspecies in the data file) included black-tailed prairie dogs (PDs) (BTPD, Cynomys ludovicianus) in north-central Montana, white-tailed PDs (WTPD, Cynomys leucurus) in eastern Utah, and Utah PDs (UPD, Cynomys parvidens) in southwestern Utah. Field research was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, and colleagues. We used summertime visual counts as an index to PD densities (Pddensity in the data file). For each plot, we counted PDs using binoculars and/or spotting scopes from a single location outside the plot that gave the best view of the entire plot and repeated these counts on three (usually consecutive) days. We began counts just after sunrise and continued to conduct repeated systematic scans of the plot until the counts declined to about half the peak number (usually by late morning as PDs went below ground for their typical mid-day break). We converted the counts to density estimates (counts per hectare [ha]).The estimate we used to calculate density was the highest count obtained from a plot for the 3 days within a given year. We analyzed data from colonies experiencing a plague epizootic during this particular study (with an epizootic defined as greater than or equal to 90% decline in PD density). We indexed annual population change (PDpopchgProportion in the data file) by subtracting the count density estimate of the year before a plague epizootic (t1) from the density estimate during an epizootic (t2) for each plot, and dividing that by the density estimate from t1 to summarize population change as a proportionate change. We evaluated the correlation between PD population change and PD density in year t1, because negative plague-effects and the intensity of population decline may be greatest when PD densities are high in year t1 (a potential "density dependent" phenomenon discussed in a wide range of literature on disease ecology). We also evaluated the correlation between PD population change and flea abundance in year t1, because rates of plague transmission and, therefore, PD mortality are expected to increase with increasing flea densities. To assess flea abundance (PDfleas in the data file), we combed live-trapped PDs and counted the number of fleas on each PD. The PDs were live-trapped, individually marked with ear tags, and combed as thoroughly as possible for 30 seconds (s) to collect fleas. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. For each plot and year, we used the average value of flea counts (defined as flea abundance).

Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019). Prairie dogs were live-trapped, anesthetized with isoflurane, and combed thoroughly for 30 or 45 seconds to remove and count fleas. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. Randomly selected prairie dog burrows were swabbed for fleas using a plumber’s snake to insert a white flannel-cloth as deep as possible into each tunnel; the cable was shook ~30 seconds, and the cloth was removed from the burrow and quickly sealed in a re-sealable zipper storage bag. Fleas were later removed from swabs and counted. Mean flea counts were calculated for each sampling site, and sampling interval, as the total number of fleas collected (from prairie dogs or burrows) divided by the total number of sampling occasions (combings or swabbings). Funding and logistical support were provided by the U.S. Geological Survey; Turner Endangered Species Fund; Turner Enterprises Incorporated; Colorado State University; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge; Shortgrass Steppe Long-Term Ecological Research Project; National Science Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Environment Research and Development Program.

Mean flea counts from prairie dogs and their burrows in Utah (2000), New Mexico (2010-2012), and Montana (2016, 2019). Prairie dogs were live-trapped, anesthetized with isoflurane, and combed thoroughly for 30 or 45 seconds to remove and count fleas. Prairie dogs were allowed to recover from anesthesia and released at their trapping locations. Randomly selected prairie dog burrows were swabbed for fleas using a plumber’s snake to insert a white flannel-cloth as deep as possible into each tunnel; the cable was shook ~30 seconds, and the cloth was removed from the burrow and quickly sealed in a re-sealable zipper storage bag. Fleas were later removed from swabs and counted. Mean flea counts were calculated for each sampling site, and sampling interval, as the total number of fleas collected (from prairie dogs or burrows) divided by the total number of sampling occasions (combings or swabbings). Funding and logistical support were provided by the U.S. Geological Survey; Turner Endangered Species Fund; Turner Enterprises Incorporated; Colorado State University; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge; Shortgrass Steppe Long-Term Ecological Research Project; National Science Foundation; and the U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Environment Research and Development Program.

We live-trapped and sampled black-tailed prairie dogs in Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2017-2020. Sampling occurred on sites treated with 0.005% fipronil grain for flea control and plague mitigation, and non-treated sites functioning as experimental baselines. Prairie dogs were trapped, sexed, aged (adult or juvenile by size), weighed to the nearest 5 grams, and marked with ear tags for permanent identification. The length of each prairie dog's right hind foot was measured to the nearest millimeter, and the animal's body condition was indexed as a mass:foot ratio. We evaluated effects of fipronil grain on prairie dog body condition, monthly and annual survival, and reproduction. The first data set (Fipronil 2017 Body Condition.csv) includes information from a before-after-control-impact (BACI) experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog body condition in 2017. The second data set (Fipronil 2018 Body Condition.csv) includes similar information from a BACI experiment in 2018. The third data set (Fipronil 2018 Monthly Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog monthly survival in 2018. The fourth data set (Fipronil 2018-2019 Annual Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog annual survival from 2018-2019. The fifth data set (Fipronil 2020 Reproduction.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog reproduction in 2020. Funding and logistical support were provided by the National Park Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; US Forest Service; Colorado State University; World Wildlife Fund; and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

We live-trapped and sampled black-tailed prairie dogs in Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota, 2017-2020. Sampling occurred on sites treated with 0.005% fipronil grain for flea control and plague mitigation, and non-treated sites functioning as experimental baselines. Prairie dogs were trapped, sexed, aged (adult or juvenile by size), weighed to the nearest 5 grams, and marked with ear tags for permanent identification. The length of each prairie dog's right hind foot was measured to the nearest millimeter, and the animal's body condition was indexed as a mass:foot ratio. We evaluated effects of fipronil grain on prairie dog body condition, monthly and annual survival, and reproduction. The first data set (Fipronil 2017 Body Condition.csv) includes information from a before-after-control-impact (BACI) experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog body condition in 2017. The second data set (Fipronil 2018 Body Condition.csv) includes similar information from a BACI experiment in 2018. The third data set (Fipronil 2018 Monthly Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog monthly survival in 2018. The fourth data set (Fipronil 2018-2019 Annual Survival.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and individual prairie dog annual survival from 2018-2019. The fifth data set (Fipronil 2020 Reproduction.csv) includes information from an experiment on fipronil grain and prairie dog reproduction in 2020. Funding and logistical support were provided by the National Park Service; US Fish and Wildlife Service; US Geological Survey; Prairie Wildlife Research; US Forest Service; Colorado State University; World Wildlife Fund; and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.