Genetic characteristic of dermacentor reticulatus ticks using 12S and 16S rRNA markers

Abstract

Dermacentor spp. ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of wide range of mammals. Over past few decades these ticks have been spreading rapidly through Europe. Molecular phylogeny of this species is not yet properly described. In this study we analyzed genetic diversity of D. reticulatus using 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA sequences. D. reticulatus were collected from six different locations in Lithuania. DNA from ticks was extracted by lyses in 2.5% ammonium hydroxide solution. We successfully amplified and sequenced 380 bp fragments of 12S rRNA derived from D. reticulatus ticks and compared obtained sequences with those previously published in Gene Bank. The sequences of the 12S rRNA obtained from ticks collected in Lithuania were identical to each other and 100–99.9% were similar to the corresponding D. reticulatus 12S rRNA sequences from Gene Bank. Investigation of 12S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA showed that this marker is not very suitable for D. reticulatus intraspecific diversity. However it could be useful for taxonomical identification of Dermacentor species, and investigation of interspecific diversity.