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Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Student Competition 10-Minute Paper

Grad SysEB: Conservation, Ecology, and Other On-Demand Presentations

Genetic variation of Ixodes scapularis in the Eastern U.S

On-Demand
Student Competition On-Demand
Lyme disease accounts for the vast majority of confirmed vector-borne disease cases in the U.S., with Ixodes scapularis as the main vector responsible. However, the distribution of Lyme disease in North America is uneven, with over 90% of cases being reported in the northeastern states, despite a significantly more even distribution of I. scapularis populations across the entire eastern half of the U.S. The resulting north to south Lyme disease gradient has long been recognized, and regional differences in I. scapularis morphology, host association, and host-seeking behavior may explain this variation in incidence. Recent common garden experiments demonstrated that ticks retain their origin population’s host-seeking behaviors despite environmental changes, suggesting a genetic component to these traits. Previously, the genetic variation of I. scapularis populations has not been studied on a wide geographic and genomic scale. To identify the nature and extent of the genetic differences among I. scapularis populations, adults from 25 populations dispersed throughout the species range were collected for this study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are identified using triple-enzyme restriction-site-associated DNA sequences (3RAD), and analysis of reads using STACKS. Over 1,106,256 alleles have been identified across populations. Northeastern I. scapularis populations have low intra- and inter-population variation when compared to southern populations, and northeastern genotypes are detected in all potential hybridization zones sampled to date. These and additional genomic studies of I. scapularis are needed to provide a foundation for research to combat the rising number and expanding geographic range of Lyme disease cases.