Dean Biggins, PhD
Dr. Biggins is a scientist emeritus at the Fort Collins Science Center.
Dr. Biggins has been interested in grassland ecology since 1981. Within that broad topic his research has involved varied themes, including aspects of behavioral ecology, predator-prey relationships, and ecology of wildlife diseases. Most of his investigations have been motivated by their application to conservation and recovery of federally listed species. In that context, Dr. Biggins has worked at field study sites from Montana to Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as in Inner Mongolia and the Tibetan Plateau. Research has involved students at various universities (in CA, CO, ID, NM, MI, MO, TX, WY, France, and China). Taxa of interest have been carnivores (e.g., black-footed ferrets, Siberian polecats, badgers, weasels, coyotes, foxes), rodents, arthropods (fleas, ticks), and bacteria (Yersinia pestis). His present research emphasis is on ecology of plague, including its hosts and vectors, concentrating on maintenance of plague and its chronic effects on wildlife populations and ecosystems during inter-epizootic periods.
Professional Experience
Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, 2019 - Present
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology, Colorado State University, 2002-present
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, 1996-2019
Research Wildlife Biologist, National Biological Service, 1993-1996
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1976-1993
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Zoology, Colorado State University, 2000
M.S., Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, 1975
B.S., Wildlife Management, Humboldt State University, 1968
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Society of Mammalogists, 1989 to present
Honors and Awards
2012—Aldo Leopold Award, American Society of Mammalogists
2005—Science Excellence Award of the Year, USGS, Biolo
2004—Conservationist of the Year, Denver Zoological Foundation
1998—Special Recognition Award, Black-footed Ferret Recovery Implementation Team
Science and Products
Flea parasitism and host survival in a plague-relevant system: Theoretical and conservation implications
Flea sharing among sympatric rodent hosts: implications for potential plague effects on a threatened sciurid
Evaluation of five pulicides to suppress fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs: Encouraging long-term results with systemic 0.005% fipronil
Plague management of prairie dog colonies: Degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control
Resistance to deltamethrin in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) fleas in the field and in the laboratory
Plague in a colony of Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) despite three years of infusions of burrows with 0.05% deltamethrin to kill fleas
Evolution, natural history, and conservation of black-footed ferrets
Factors influencing uptake of sylvatic plague vaccine baits by prairie dogs
Grooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs are influenced by flea parasitism, conspecifics, and proximity to refuge
Paltry past-precipitation: Predisposing prairie dogs to plague?
Sylvatic plague vaccine partially protects prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in field trials
Plague cycles in two rodent species from China: Dry years might provide context for epizootics in wet years
Science and Products
Flea parasitism and host survival in a plague-relevant system: Theoretical and conservation implications
Flea sharing among sympatric rodent hosts: implications for potential plague effects on a threatened sciurid
Evaluation of five pulicides to suppress fleas on black-tailed prairie dogs: Encouraging long-term results with systemic 0.005% fipronil
Plague management of prairie dog colonies: Degree and duration of deltamethrin flea control
Resistance to deltamethrin in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) fleas in the field and in the laboratory
Plague in a colony of Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) despite three years of infusions of burrows with 0.05% deltamethrin to kill fleas
Evolution, natural history, and conservation of black-footed ferrets
Factors influencing uptake of sylvatic plague vaccine baits by prairie dogs
Grooming behaviors of black-tailed prairie dogs are influenced by flea parasitism, conspecifics, and proximity to refuge
Paltry past-precipitation: Predisposing prairie dogs to plague?
Sylvatic plague vaccine partially protects prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in field trials
Plague cycles in two rodent species from China: Dry years might provide context for epizootics in wet years
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government