A study of macro and micro-evolutionary factors determining population genetics in ticks.

摘要

There are over 800 tick species currently known in the world. Ticks are obligate hemoparasites and as such live in close relation with their hosts. They have the ability to transmit a large number of pathogenic agents such as viruses, bacteria and protozoans. In their capacity of vectors, ticks are only second to mosquitos in their importance to humans. They are largely capable of transmitting numerous domestic animal pathogens. These factors make ticks parasites of economic relevance due to the large costs incurred in tick in prevention, removal, and treatment. In this body of work, first a review of the status of population genetics is explored. Even though molecular techniques have been largely available in the last 35 years, the field of population genetics of ticks is still in its beginning. Second, a rare case of hybridization in the wild between Dermacentor andersoni and D. variabilis is reported. Third, elucidation into the factors that control gene flow in Rhipicephalus annulatus in southern Texas is explored.