Published January 31, 2024 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Bloodmeal metabarcoding of the argasid tick (Ornithodoros turicata Dugès) reveals extensive vector-host associations

  • 1. Texas A&M University
  • 2. United States Fish and Wildlife Service
  • 3. University of Massachusetts Medical School
  • 4. Brown University

Description

Molecular methods to understand host feeding patterns of arthropod vectors are critical to assess exposure risk to vector-borne disease and unveil complex ecological interactions. We build on our prior work discovering the utility of PCR-Sanger sequencing bloodmeal analysis that work well for soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae), unlike for hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), thanks to their unique physiology that retains prior bloodmeals for years. Here, we apply bloodmeal metabarcoding using amplicon deep sequencing to identify multiple host species in individual Ornithodoros turicata soft ticks collected from two natural areas in Texas, United States. Of 788 collected O. turicata, 394 were evaluated for bloodmeal source via metabarcoding, revealing 27 different vertebrate hosts (17 mammals, 5 birds, 1 reptile, and 4 amphibians) fed upon by 274 soft ticks. Information on multiple hosts was derived from 167 individual O. turicata (61%). Metabarcoding revealed mixed vertebrate bloodmeals in O. turicata while same specimens yielded only one vertebrate species using Sanger sequencing. These data reveal wide host range of O. turicata and demonstrate the value of bloodmeal metabarcoding for understanding the ecology for known and potential tick-borne pathogens circulating among humans, domestic animals and wildlife such as relapsing fever caused by Borrelia turicatae. Our results also document evidence of prior feeding on wild pig from an off-host soft tick for the first time in North America; a critical observation in the context of enzootic transmission of African swine fever virus if it were introduced to the US. This research enhances our understanding of vector-host associations and offers a promising perspective for biodiversity monitoring and disease control strategies.

Notes

Funding provided by: Coalition for Epi Response, Engagement, and Science (CERES)*
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Funding provided by: Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100019191
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Funding provided by: Texas Ecolab*
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Methods

Please see manuscript and README

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README.md

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Additional details

Related works

Is cited by
10.1101/2023.08.07.552345 (DOI)
Is derived from
10.5281/zenodo.10459122 (DOI)
Is source of
10.5281/zenodo.10459124 (DOI)