Variation in genome size of argasid and ixodid ticks

The suborder Ixodida includes many tick species of medical and veterinary importance, but little is known about the genomic characteristics of these ticks. We report the first study to determine genome size in two species of Argasidae (soft ticks) and seven species of Ixodidae (hard ticks) using flo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Insect biochemistry and molecular biology 2007-05, Vol.37 (5), p.399-408
Main Authors: Geraci, Nicholas S., Spencer Johnston, J., Paul Robinson, J., Wikel, Stephen K., Hill, Catherine A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Argasidae
Argasidae - classification
Argasidae - genetics
C value
Evolution, Molecular
Female
Flow Cytometry
Genetic Variation
genome
Genome size
Genome, Insect
genomics
haploid genome size
Ixodes scapularis
Ixodidae
Ixodidae - classification
Ixodidae - genetics
Male
Phylogeny
Sex Factors
species differences
strain differences
ticks
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Summary:The suborder Ixodida includes many tick species of medical and veterinary importance, but little is known about the genomic characteristics of these ticks. We report the first study to determine genome size in two species of Argasidae (soft ticks) and seven species of Ixodidae (hard ticks) using flow cytometry analysis of fluorescent stained nuclei. Our results indicate a large haploid genome size (1 C>1000 Mbp) for all Ixodida with a mean of 1281 Mbp (1.31±0.07 pg) for the Argasidae and 2671 Mbp (2.73±0.04 pg) for the Ixodidae. The haploid genome size of Ixodes scapularis was determined to be 2262 Mbp. We observed inter- and intra-familial variation in genome size as well as variation between strains of the same species. We explore the implications of these results for tick genome evolution and tick genomics research.
ISSN:0965-1748
1879-0240
DOI:10.1016/j.ibmb.2006.12.007