Genetic similarity and variability between natural populations and laboratory colonies of North American Boophilus (Acari: Ixodidae).
Four natural populations and 4 laboratory colonies of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) and a laboratory colony of Boophilus annulatus (Say) were subjected to electrophoretic analysis to determine levels of genetic similarity and genetic variability. Populations of B. microplus exhibited high genetic similarity (I = 0.984 +/- 0.012) indicating that all populations share a relatively undifferentiated gene pool. Host vagility is proposed as an important mechanism promoting gene flow in ectoparasites. Levels of genetic variability for B. microplus (h = 0.092 +/- 0.008; P = 0.330 +/- 0.050) were within levels reported for other arthropods. The average genetic identity of 0.716 +/- 0.013 between B. microplus and B. annulatus is of a level characteristic of sibling species. Diagnostic isozymes between laboratory colonies will facilitate identification of these morphologically similar species.
Sattler
P W
PW
Hilburn
L R
LR
Davey
R B
RB
George
J E
JE
Rojas Avalos
J B
JB
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005787:Gene Frequency; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis; D013987:Ticks / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*
D007527:Isoenzymes