Graduation Year

2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology

Reader 1

Sarah Budischak

Reader 2

Findley Finseth

Abstract

Zoonotic diseases such as hantaviruses represent a critical intersection of public, animal, and environmental health. Among them, Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) is the most prevalent in Europe and is transmitted primarily by the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of PUUV through phylogenetic analyses, with a focus on identifying patterns of genetic divergence driven by geographic distribution. Specifically, the research aims to test the Isolation by Distance (IBD) hypothesis, which posits that genetic differences among PUUV strains increase with geographic separation due to the limited dispersal of host species. Using viral RNA extracted from bank vole lung samples collected in Finland and across broader European regions, I constructed phylogenetic trees and conducted a regression analysis comparing pairwise genetic differences to geographic distances between sampling locations. Results indicate strong geographic clustering of PUUV lineages and a significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance, consistent with the IBD model. Notably, temporal factors also influenced genetic divergence, suggesting dynamic evolutionary pressures over time. These findings underscore the value of integrating spatial and genomic data to improve our understanding of hantavirus transmission and evolution, offering important implications for surveillance and zoonotic spillover risk mitigation across Europe.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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