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Genetics Polymorphism Study of Ixodes Ricinus L. Populations in Lithuania using RAPD Markers

2005; Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University; Volume: 15; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/13921657.2005.10512699

1648-6919

Jana Radzijevskaja, Renata Indriulytė, Algimantas Paulauskas, Daiva Ambrasienė, Jurga Turčinavičienė,

Viral Infections and Vectors

Ixodes ricinus ticks are common and widespread in Lithuania. They are the main vector in transmission of infectious diseases like tick-born encephalitis, Lyme borreliosis and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. The aim of our study was to investigate genetic variability of I. ricinus ticks in Lithuania. I. ricinus ticks were collected from different locations of Lithuania. Data on genetic polymorphism of I. ricinus were used to determinate genetic distances within and among different Lithuanian populations in this species. At first, 103 collected ticks were analysed using specifics for I. ricinus new primers designed by A. Jenkins for taxonomic identification. PCR analysis data showed that all ticks were I. ricinus. Polymorphism of I. ricinus was analysed using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method. 47 DNA samples of I. ricinus ticks were used for RAPD reaction. Ten arbitrary sequence decamers were used as primers. Reproducible amplification patterns were obtained using five primers. RAPD analysis data showed that I. ricinus from Biržai and Vilnius were highly polymorphic. Similarities between RAPD patterns were used to evaluate genetic distances between I. ricinus populations in Lithuania.