2.b.i. Genetic structure relative to geographic regions
Researchers have been studying the variation of I. scapularispopulations by identifying phenotypes that vary geographically and
correlate with human Lyme disease prevalence (Arsnoe et al., 2019,
Ginsberg et al, 2014). Questing height has been demonstrated to be
correlated with population origin via common garden experiments,
remaining correlated in subsequent generations, thus supporting the
notion that this important host-seeking behavior has one or more genetic
drivers (Arsnoe et al., 2019). However, genotypes or a genomic region of
interest have not yet been linked to these phenotypes. Thus, a major
goal of this study was to develop a foundational database of genetic
variants in I. scapularis populations that are located throughout
the genome and can potentially be used in future studies to link
genotypes to phenotypes of interest.
Genetic structure was originally analyzed through the lens of the four
geographic quadrants (Figure 1). Differentiation is modest when
comparing the Northeast to Upper Midwest or comparing the Southeast
Atlantic to Southern Gulf. However, outside of the population
originating from Osceola County, Florida, most genetic differentiation
occurred in comparisons of Northern populations to Southern populations.
These two major classifications can simplify the lens for how these
results are viewed and mirrors the original delineation between I.
scapularis and I. dammini .