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Analysis of A mblyomma sculptum haplotypes in an area endemic for B razilian spotted fever
Author(s) -
BITENCOURTH K.,
VOLOCH C. M.,
SERRAFREIRE N. M.,
MACHADOFERREIRA E.,
AMORIM M.,
GAZÊTA G. S.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
medical and veterinary entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2915
pISSN - 0269-283X
DOI - 10.1111/mve.12174
Subject(s) - biology , haplotype , genetic diversity , population , tick , genetics , gene flow , genetic variation , gene , genotype , ecology , demography , sociology
Amblyomma sculptum ( I xodida: I xodidae) B erlese, 1888, a member of the A mblyomma cajennense complex, is the major vector of B razilian spotted fever ( BSF ) in southeastern B razil. In this study, the genetic diversity of A. sculptum populations in the state of R io de J aneiro ( RJ ), B razil, was investigated because genetic variability in tick populations may be related to vector competence. Samples of A. sculptum from 19 municipalities in 7 regions of RJ were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing of D ‐loop, cytochrome oxidase II and 12S rDNA mitochondrial genes. These sequences were used to map the genetic diversity of this tick. A mblyomma sculptum populations are genetically diverse in RJ , especially in the S outh C entre and H ighland regions. Few unique haplotypes were observed in all populations, and the majority of genetic variation found was among ticks within each population. Phylogenetic reconstruction reinforced the assumption that all the haplotypes identified in RJ belong to A. sculptum . However, some RJ haplotypes are closer to A. sculptum from A rgentina than to A. sculptum from elsewhere in B razil. In RJ , A. sculptum has high genetic diversity, although little genetic differentiation. Observations also indicated a high level of gene flow among the studied populations and no evidence of population structure according to region in RJ .