Nanopore Sequencing for the Detection and Preliminary Identification of Viruses in Amblyomma americanum L. (Acari: Ixodidae)

Name

Mary Katherine Humphrey, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Lorenza Beati, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Ella Zierdt, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Saviour Dralabu, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Publication Date

4-15-2025

Major

Biology (B.S.B.)

Release Option

Open Access

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Lorenza Beati

Abstract

Hard-bodied ticks are known to carry a wide range of viruses, some of which can cause human diseases. In the U.S., the tick Amblyomma americanum is an important disease vector. The tick has recently expanded its distribution range and its abundance is rising in many areas of the U.S. Its virome is, however, largely underexplored. In this preliminary study, we used a Nanopore MinION sequencer to detect and identify the viral fauna in nymphal ticks (n=43) collected in Statesboro, GA. Extracted DNA and RNA were analyzed separately. Nucleic acids were pooled into 6 groups according to their collection dates and barcoded accordingly. Over 98% of the RNA viral reads corresponded to Betabaculovirus spp. commonly known arthropod pathogens, while Uroviricota of the genus Lambdavirus were predominant (80.9%) in DNA reads. The implications of such findings will be discussed.

Recommended Citation

Humphrey, Mary Katherine; Beati, Lorenza; Zierdt, Ella; and Dralabu, Saviour, "Nanopore Sequencing for the Detection and Preliminary Identification of Viruses in Amblyomma americanum L. (Acari: Ixodidae)" (2025). Honors College Theses. 1038.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/1038