High SNP density in the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, the principal vector of Lyme disease spirochetes

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most widespread type of sequence variation in genomes. SNP density and distribution varies among different organisms and genes. Here, we report the first estimates of SNP distribution and density in the genome of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ticks and tick-borne diseases 2013-02, Vol.4 (1-2), p.63-71
Main Authors: Van Zee, Janice, Black, William C., IV, Levin, Michael, Goddard, Jerome, Smith, Joshua, Piesman, Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
anaplasmosis
Animals
Arachnid Vectors - genetics
babesiosis
Borrelia burgdorferi group
genes
Genetic Markers
genetic techniques and protocols
genetic variation
Haplotypes
Humans
Ixodes - genetics
Ixodes scapularis
Lyme disease
Lyme Disease - epidemiology
Lyme Disease - microbiology
Lyme Disease - transmission
pathogens
Phylogeny
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
single nucleotide polymorphism
ticks
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most widespread type of sequence variation in genomes. SNP density and distribution varies among different organisms and genes. Here, we report the first estimates of SNP distribution and density in the genome of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), an important vector of the pathogens causing Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis and human babesiosis in North America. We sampled 10 individuals from each of 4 collections from New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, and Mississippi and analyzed the sequences of 9 nuclear genes and the mitochondrial 16S gene. SNPs are extremely abundant (one SNP per every 14 bases). This is the second highest density so far reported in any eukaryotic organism. Population genetic analyses based either on haplotype frequencies or the 372 SNPs in these 9 genes showed that the 40 ticks formed 3 genetic groups. In agreement with earlier population genetic studies, northern ticks from New Jersey and Virginia formed a homogeneous group with low genetic diversity, whereas southern ticks from Georgia and Mississippi consisted of 2 separate groups, each with high genetic diversity.
ISSN:1877-959X
1877-9603
DOI:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.07.005