Thesis (M.A.) -- Central Connecticut State University, 2008. / Thesis advisor: Kathy Martin-Troy. "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Biomolecular Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-62). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Northern Michigan University, 2006. / Bibliography: leaves 31-37.

To assess the seasonality and disease potential of Ixodes scapularis Say in north Mississippi, ixodid ticks were collected by drag cloth method at two sites in north Mississippi weekly from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011 and tested for molecular evidence of disease agents via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. In addition, environmental data were observed and recorded for each collection date. I. scapularis nymphs (n=6) were collected in August, September, March, and May, perhaps reflecting a seasonally bimodal distribution, while adults (n=256) were found October through May with a peak in March. No statistically significant relationship between environmental data and number of I. scapularis was found. No I. scapularis were PCR positive for Borrelia burgdorferi or Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and four were positive for Babesia odocoilei, a cervid babesiosis.

Thesis (M.S.)--Georgia Southern University, 2006. / "A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science" ETD. Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-57)

Thesis (M.S.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Feb. 08, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-94).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Mar. 18, 2010). Thesis advisor: Graham Hickling. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-88).

Amostras populacionais de Oc. scapularis foram coletadas nos municípios de Tremembé-SP (TRE), São Paulo-SP (SPA) e Itaboraí-RJ (ITA). Foram empregados como marcadores biológicos: o gene mitocondrial Citocromo Oxidase Subunidade-1 (COI), geometria alar e análise da genitália masculina. Tais marcadores são tradicionalmente reconhecidos pelo poder discriminante em estudos desta natureza. As populações ITA, TRE e SPA mostraram-se distintas quanto à forma alar, sugerindo baixo fluxo gênico entre elas. Foi verificado dimorfismo sexual em relação ao tamanho isométrico, à forma alar e ao grau de diferenciação populacional. A população de ITA apresentou menor tamanho dos centróides que as demais populações estudadas. Foi verificado amplo polimorfismo genético, tendo sido detectados 51 haplótipos de COI e apenas 11 compartilhados entre as populações ITA, TRE e SPA. Quando comparados com as populações de estudo anteriormente realizado por Devicari, 2010 encontramos um padrão parecido. Analisando conjuntamente os presentes dados com aqueles obtidos por Devicari, 2010, computamos 52 haplótipos sendo apenas alguns compartilhados. Os valores do índice de diferenciação genética <font face=\"Symbol\">Fst observados foram moderados somente entre SPA e ITA, nas demais populações estudadas a diferenciação foi baixa, a diferenciação observada foi compatível com a hipótese de distanciamento geográfico das populações coletadas. Analisando cada marcador biológico, concluímos que as populações estudadas não se tratam de complexo de espécies. Ainda não descartamos a existência de complexo dentro de Oc. scapularis, porém, para definitiva resposta a essa questão serão necessários mais estudos envolvendo populações de outras regiões. / Samples of Oc. scapularis were collected in the municipalities of Tremembé-SP (TRE), São Paulo-SP (SPA) and Itaboraí-RJ (ITA). We used the following biological markers: mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 gene (COI), wing geometry and shape of male genitalia. These markers are traditionally known by its discriminating power in studies of this nature. ITA, SPA and TRE populations, showed distinct wing shape, suggesting low gene flow. We observed sexual dimorphism concerning the isometric size, wing shape and the degree of populational differentiation. ITA sample exhibited the lowest centroid sizes. We found high genetic polymorphism in all populational samples, being 51 COI haplotypes. Out of them, only 11 haplotypes were noted to be shared between at least two or three populations. When comparing our results with those of a previous survey conducted by Devicari (2010), we found a quite similar pattern of hign polymorfism. In total, both studies comprised 52 haplotypes. The <font face=\"Symbol\">Fst index of genetic differentiation values were considered \"moderate\" between ITA and SPA and \"low\" in the other comparisons. Present results are consistent with the hypothesis that populations are subjected to isolation by geographical distance. Analyzing together each biologcal marker, we conclude that populations studied do not consist a species complex. We do not rule out the possible occurence of a complex in Oc. scapularis, however, a definitive answer to this question will require further studies and sampling of populations from elsewhere.

Amostras populacionais de Oc. scapularis foram coletadas nos municípios de Tremembé-SP (TRE), São Paulo-SP (SPA) e Itaboraí-RJ (ITA). Foram empregados como marcadores biológicos: o gene mitocondrial Citocromo Oxidase Subunidade-1 (COI), geometria alar e análise da genitália masculina. Tais marcadores são tradicionalmente reconhecidos pelo poder discriminante em estudos desta natureza. As populações ITA, TRE e SPA mostraram-se distintas quanto à forma alar, sugerindo baixo fluxo gênico entre elas. Foi verificado dimorfismo sexual em relação ao tamanho isométrico, à forma alar e ao grau de diferenciação populacional. A população de ITA apresentou menor tamanho dos centróides que as demais populações estudadas. Foi verificado amplo polimorfismo genético, tendo sido detectados 51 haplótipos de COI e apenas 11 compartilhados entre as populações ITA, TRE e SPA. Quando comparados com as populações de estudo anteriormente realizado por Devicari, 2010 encontramos um padrão parecido. Analisando conjuntamente os presentes dados com aqueles obtidos por Devicari, 2010, computamos 52 haplótipos sendo apenas alguns compartilhados. Os valores do índice de diferenciação genética <font face=\"Symbol\">Fst observados foram moderados somente entre SPA e ITA, nas demais populações estudadas a diferenciação foi baixa, a diferenciação observada foi compatível com a hipótese de distanciamento geográfico das populações coletadas. Analisando cada marcador biológico, concluímos que as populações estudadas não se tratam de complexo de espécies. Ainda não descartamos a existência de complexo dentro de Oc. scapularis, porém, para definitiva resposta a essa questão serão necessários mais estudos envolvendo populações de outras regiões. / Samples of Oc. scapularis were collected in the municipalities of Tremembé-SP (TRE), São Paulo-SP (SPA) and Itaboraí-RJ (ITA). We used the following biological markers: mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 gene (COI), wing geometry and shape of male genitalia. These markers are traditionally known by its discriminating power in studies of this nature. ITA, SPA and TRE populations, showed distinct wing shape, suggesting low gene flow. We observed sexual dimorphism concerning the isometric size, wing shape and the degree of populational differentiation. ITA sample exhibited the lowest centroid sizes. We found high genetic polymorphism in all populational samples, being 51 COI haplotypes. Out of them, only 11 haplotypes were noted to be shared between at least two or three populations. When comparing our results with those of a previous survey conducted by Devicari (2010), we found a quite similar pattern of hign polymorfism. In total, both studies comprised 52 haplotypes. The <font face=\"Symbol\">Fst index of genetic differentiation values were considered \"moderate\" between ITA and SPA and \"low\" in the other comparisons. Present results are consistent with the hypothesis that populations are subjected to isolation by geographical distance. Analyzing together each biologcal marker, we conclude that populations studied do not consist a species complex. We do not rule out the possible occurence of a complex in Oc. scapularis, however, a definitive answer to this question will require further studies and sampling of populations from elsewhere.

In Indiana, Ixodes scapularis is an important tick in public health because it feeds on a variety of hosts including humans, and transmits Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), and Babesia microti (babesiosis). Symbiotic, non-pathogenic Rickettsia found in Ixodes scapularis may play a role in excluding pathogenic species of Rickettsia from being transovarially transmitted. In order to investigate this idea further in Indiana, a total of 378 adult I. scapularis from 4 different counties (Jasper, Pulaski, Newton and Starke) were tested by polymerase chain reaction analysis (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia sp. Four positive samples from the PCR (using Rocky Mountain spotted fever group specific primers to target the rOmpA gene; Rr190.70p and RH 90.602n) reactions were sequenced to verify identity. These four samples matched closest to the reference number AB002268 from GenBank which describes, I. scapularis endosymbiont DNA for rOmpA. A total of 62 engorged females were tested; 53 (85.5%) harbored the rickettsial symbiont. A total of 41 questing females were tested; 33 (80.5%) were positive. Of the 249 males tested, 14 (5.6%) were positive. A restriction digestion on some of the positive samples revealed that the 1 scapularis symbiont was different from R. montana and R. rickettsii. The second goal of this study was to identify the presence of B. microti. In I. scapularis ticks, this would be the first time this pathogen was identified in Indiana. To accomplish this goal 106, ticks were tested using the primers Babl and Bab4, which target the 18S rRNA gene specific for B. microti. Three tick samples were found to harbor B. microti as determined by sequencing. However, sequencing of amplification band in the negative control also yielded B. microti. Thus, the presence of B. microti in Indiana ticks could not be confirmed. A negative control was also sequenced and was identified as Babesia microti indicating that there was a contamination so it is not possible to conclude that B. microti was found in Indiana ticks. / Department of Physiology and Health Science