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Abstract
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), North America’s only marsupial, has been rapidly expanding its range, like many other generalist species. Despite the Virginia opossum’s taxonomic uniqueness and expanding distribution, its ecology remains understudied. The overarching goal of this research is to better understand Virginia opossum ecology in the southeastern United States (US) through the following objectives: (i) quantify effects of habitat on Virginia opossum population density; (ii) characterize Virginia opossum space-use patterns and resource selection; and (iii) quantify effects of habitat on infection probability of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, among opossums and sympatric raccoons (Procyon lotor). These results suggest Virginia opossum populations in native landscapes of the southeastern US: (i) exhibit heterogeneity in density among habitats; (ii) demonstrate sexual heterogeneity and strong second-order selection in habitat utilization patterns and; and (iii) exhibit a T. cruzi prevalence three-fold less than raccoons that is not influenced by habitat.