The blacklegged tick (
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Environmental dimensions, such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and vegetation type, influence the activity, survival, and geographic distribution of tick species. Ticks are vectors of various pathogens that cause disease in humans, and
- Award ID(s):
- 1920946
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10536310
- Publisher / Repository:
- PeerJ, Inc.
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- PeerJ
- Volume:
- 12
- ISSN:
- 2167-8359
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- e17944
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Ixodes scapularis (Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia , 1821,2 , 59)) is a vector ofBorrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s .) (International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology , 1984,34 , 496), the causative bacterial agent of Lyme disease, part of a slow‐moving epidemic of Lyme borreliosis spreading across the northern hemisphere. Well‐known geographical differences in the vectorial capacity of these ticks are associated with genetic variation. Despite the need for detailed genetic information in this disease system, previous phylogeographical studies of these ticks have been restricted to relatively few populations or few genetic loci. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogeographical study of genome‐wide markers inI. scapularis , conducted by using 3RAD (triple‐enzyme restriction‐site associated sequencing) and surveying 353 ticks from 33 counties throughout the species' range. We found limited genetic variation among populations from the Northeast and Upper Midwest, where Lyme disease is most common, and higher genetic variation among populations from the South. We identify five spatially associated genetic clusters ofI. scapularis . In regions where Lyme disease is increasing in frequency, theI. scapularis populations genetically group with ticks from historically highly Lyme‐endemic regions. Finally, we identify 10 variable DNA sites that contribute the most to population differentiation. These variable sites cluster on one of the chromosome‐scale scaffolds forI. scapularis and are within identified genes. Our findings illuminate the need for additional research to identify loci causing variation in the vectorial capacity ofI. scapularis and where additional tick sampling would be most valuable to further understand disease trends caused by pathogens transmitted byI. scapularis . -
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Abstract Emerging and re‐emerging pathogens often stem from zoonotic origins, cycling between humans and animals, and are frequently vectored and maintained by hematophagous arthropod vectors. The efficiency by which these disease agents are successfully transmitted between vertebrate hosts is influenced by many factors, including the host on which a vector feeds. The Lyme disease bacterium
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato has adapted to survive in complex host environments, vectored byIxodes ticks, and maintained in multiple vertebrate hosts. The versatility of Lyme borreliae in disparate host milieus is a compelling platform to investigate mechanisms dictating pathogen transmission through complex networks of vertebrates and ticks. Squamata, one of the most diverse clade of extant reptiles, is comprised primarily of lizards, many of which are readily fed upon byIxodes ticks. Yet, lizards are one of the least studied taxa at risk of contributing to the transmission and life cycle maintenance of Lyme borreliae. In this review, we summarize the current evidence, spanning from field surveillance to laboratory infection studies, supporting their contributions to Lyme borreliae circulation. We also summarize the current understanding of divergent lizard immune responses that may explain the underlying molecular mechanisms to confer Lyme spirochete survival in vertebrate hosts. This review offers a critical perspective on potential enzootic cycles existing between lizard‐tick‐Borrelia interactions and highlights the importance of an eco‐immunology lens for zoonotic pathogen transmission studies. -
Globally, zoonotic vector-borne diseases are on the rise and understanding their complex transmission cycles is pertinent to mitigating disease risk. In North America, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease and is caused by transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) from Ixodes spp. ticks to a diverse group of vertebrate hosts. Small mammal reservoir hosts are primarily responsible for maintenance of B. burgdorferi s.l. across the United States. Never- theless, birds can also be parasitized by ticks and are capable of infection with B. burgdorferi s.l. but their role in B. burgdorferi s.l. transmission dynamics is understudied. Birds could be important in both the maintenance and spread of B. burgdorferi s.l. and ticks because of their high mobility and shared habitat with important mammalian reservoir hosts. This study aims to better understand the role of avian hosts in tick-borne zoonotic disease transmission cycles in the western United States. We surveyed birds, mammals, and ticks at nine sites in northern California for B. burgdorferi s.l. infection and collected data on other metrics of host community composition such as abundance and diversity of birds, small mammals, lizards, predators, and ticks. We found 22.8% of birds infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. and that the likelihood of avian B. burgdorferi s.l. infection was significantly associated with local host community composition and pathogen prevalence in California. Addition- ally, we found an average tick burden of 0.22 ticks per bird across all species. Predator and lizard abundances were significant predictors of avian tick infestation. These results indicate that birds are relevant hosts in the local B. burgdorferi s.l. transmission cycle in the western United States and quantifying their role in the spread and maintenance of Lyme disease requires further research.more » « less
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Stevenson, Brian (Ed.)Ticks are the most important vectors of zoonotic disease-causing pathogens in North America and Europe. Many tick species are expanding their geographic range. Although correlational evidence suggests that climate change is driving the range expansion of ticks, experimental evidence is necessary to develop a mechanistic understanding of ticks’ response to a range of climatic conditions. Previous experiments used simulated microclimates, but these protocols require hazardous salts or expensive laboratory equipment to manipulate humidity. We developed a novel, safe, stable, convenient, and economical method to isolate individual ticks and manipulate their microclimates. The protocol involves placing individual ticks in plastic tubes, and placing six tubes along with a commercial two-way humidity control pack in an airtight container. We successfully used this method to investigate how humidity affects survival and host-seeking (questing) behavior of three tick species: the lone star tick ( Amblyomma americanum ), American dog tick ( Dermacentor variabilis ), and black-legged tick ( Ixodes scapularis ). We placed 72 adult females of each species individually into plastic tubes and separated them into three experimental relative humidity (RH) treatments representing distinct climates: 32% RH, 58% RH, and 84% RH. We assessed the survival and questing behavior of each tick for 30 days. In all three species, survivorship significantly declined in drier conditions. Questing height was negatively associated with RH in Amblyomma , positively associated with RH in Dermacentor , and not associated with RH in Ixodes . The frequency of questing behavior increased significantly with drier conditions for Dermacentor but not for Amblyomma or Ixodes . This report demonstrates an effective method for assessing the viability and host-seeking behavior of tick vectors of zoonotic diseases under different climatic conditions.more » « less
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A .americanum (24098, 97%) followed byDermacentor variabilis (370, 2%),D .albipictus (271, 1%),Ixodes scapularis (91, <1%)and A .maculatum (38, <1%).Amblyomma americanum ,A .maculatum and D .variabilis were active in Spring and Summer, whileD .albipictus and I .scapularis were active in Fall and Winter. Factors associated with numbers of individuals ofA .americanum included day of year, habitat, and latitude. Similar associations were observed when abundance was examined by life-stage. Overall, the picture is one of broadly distributed tick species that shows seasonal limitations in the timing of their questing activity.
