Effects of temperature on bacterial microbiome composition in Ixodes scapularis ticks

• DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.719
• Publication Date: 2018-09-21T22:54:31Z
• Authors: Santosh Thapa; Yan Zhang; Michael S. Allen
• Keywords: Ixodes scapularis; Bacterial colony

Ixodes scapularis, the blacklegged deer tick, is principal vector of Lyme disease in North America. Environmental factors are known to influence regional and seasonal incidence possibly endemicity northeastern upper mid-western regions United States. With a goal understand impact environmental temperature on microbial communities within we investigated bacterial microbiome colony-reared I. scapularis ticks statically incubated at different temperatures (4, 20, 30, 37°C) constant humidity controlled laboratory setting by comparison sequenced amplicons 16S V4 rRNA gene that untreated baseline controls. The microbiomes males were distinct than females, which entirely dominated Rickettsia. In silico removal Rickettsia sequences from female data revealed underlying community, consistent complexity with those seen among male ticks. community composition these changes upon incubation 30°C for week 37°C more 5 days. Moreover, 30 exhibited significantly diversity compared initial microbiome, change was dependent duration exposure. Rickettsia-free 4 20°C treatments. These results provide experimental evidence can tick setting.