Investigating the Impact of Host Blood Meal Identity on Ixodes pacificus Microbiome Using a Multi-species Analysis of Small Mammals and Reptiles
Mariah Angel Cuyson
Department of Biology
Faculty Supervisor: Andrea Swei
Lyme disease, caused by the pathogenic spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and vectored by the western-black legged tick species Ixodes pacificus on the West Coast, is one of the most commonly reported tick-borne diseases in the United States, posing a major public health risk to humans and wildlife. Previous research investigating the key natural drivers in tick microbiome variation and its role within pathogen transmission dynamics of Lyme disease suggests the significant role of host blood meal identity in modulating the I. pacificus microbiota and its influence on pathogen acquisition. Investigating the influence of host blood meal identity on the natural composition of the tick microbiome is essential to further understanding the pathogen transmission dynamics Lyme disease. Research in this field can be utilized for the development of better Lyme disease control strategies to mitigate Lyme disease risk for humans and wildlife. The objective of this study is to further investigate the impact of host blood meal identity on I. pacificus microbiome composition and species richness by developing a multi-species analysis on a variety of small mammal and reptile species varying in reservoir host competency of B. burgdorferi.