Term of Award
Spring 2009
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)
Document Type and Release Option
Thesis (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Biology
Committee Chair
Lorenza Beati
Committee Member 1
Lance Durden
Committee Member 2
William Irby
Abstract
Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: Ixodidae) is a common tick species that has a large geographic distribution from the southern regions of the United States (Texas), to the Caribbean Islands, Central, and South America. This tick is a vector of the agent of Brazilian spotted fever, an often fatal disease in South America. Throughout its geographic range, populations of A. cajennense have shown differences in ecological adaptation while feeding on a variety of hosts ranging from livestock, birds, and humans. In order to examine the taxonomic status and phylogeographic evolution of this species, we analyzed mitochondrial 12S rDNA, control region (d-loop), and cytochrome oxidase II gene sequences of A. cajennense specimens collected in eight different localities. The results showed that our samples are grouped in five strongly supported monophyletic lineages, each corresponding to geographically or ecologically distinct populations. The strong phylogenetic structure indicates that A. cajennense may actually be a species complex in need of thorough morphological reassessment.
Recommended Citation
Burkman, Erica Janelle, "Genetic Structure of Amblyomma Cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae) Populations Based on Mitochondrial Gene Sequences" (2009). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 704.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/704
Research Data and Supplementary Material
No
