Microsatellite-Based Analysis of Amblyomma maculatum Genetic Connectivity across Southeastern Virginia

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Amblyomma maculatum, commonly known as the Gulf Coast tick, is an aggressive human-biting tick belonging to the hard tick family Ixodidae. Amblyomma maculatum is a vector for the bacterium Rickettsia parkeri, which causes R. parkeri rickettsiosis, the second most prevalent tick-borne spotted fever rickettsiosis in the Americas. The historical range of A. maculatum spans 240 km inland the Gulf of Mexico, but in the past 40 years A. maculatum has expanded up the East Coast into the Carolinas, Virginia, Delaware, New England, and Midwest states. High prevalence of R. parkeri in A. maculatum (>50%) has been found in expansion regions including Virginia compared to the historical region, where lower prevalence (A. maculatum expansion and help explain regional differences in pathogen prevalence. In this study, population genetics of A. maculatum in Southeastern Virginia was analyzed using microsatellite markers. Microsatellites are biparentally inherited short DNA repeat sequences that can be used for population genetics and parentage (relatedness) analysis. We have tested 14 published microsatellite markers for A. maculatum, successfully genotyping 96 ticks. We will analyze tick genotypes to observe allele frequencies and estimate genetic connectivity among A. maculatum populations. Population genetic study of A. maculatum will provide information about relationships between range expansion and prevalence of R. parkeri rickettsiosis.

Presenting Author Name/s

TBD

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

David Gauthier

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Biological Sciences

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Poster

Disciplines

Bioinformatics | Entomology | Molecular Genetics

Session Title

Poster Session

Location

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Start Date

3-30-2024 8:30 AM

End Date

3-30-2024 10:00 AM

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Mar 30th, 8:30 AM Mar 30th, 10:00 AM

Microsatellite-Based Analysis of Amblyomma maculatum Genetic Connectivity across Southeastern Virginia

Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library

Amblyomma maculatum, commonly known as the Gulf Coast tick, is an aggressive human-biting tick belonging to the hard tick family Ixodidae. Amblyomma maculatum is a vector for the bacterium Rickettsia parkeri, which causes R. parkeri rickettsiosis, the second most prevalent tick-borne spotted fever rickettsiosis in the Americas. The historical range of A. maculatum spans 240 km inland the Gulf of Mexico, but in the past 40 years A. maculatum has expanded up the East Coast into the Carolinas, Virginia, Delaware, New England, and Midwest states. High prevalence of R. parkeri in A. maculatum (>50%) has been found in expansion regions including Virginia compared to the historical region, where lower prevalence (A. maculatum expansion and help explain regional differences in pathogen prevalence. In this study, population genetics of A. maculatum in Southeastern Virginia was analyzed using microsatellite markers. Microsatellites are biparentally inherited short DNA repeat sequences that can be used for population genetics and parentage (relatedness) analysis. We have tested 14 published microsatellite markers for A. maculatum, successfully genotyping 96 ticks. We will analyze tick genotypes to observe allele frequencies and estimate genetic connectivity among A. maculatum populations. Population genetic study of A. maculatum will provide information about relationships between range expansion and prevalence of R. parkeri rickettsiosis.