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Amblyomma Maculatum Koch) in Mississippi Mississippi State University Scholars Junction Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 1-1-2017 Off-Host Biology and Ecology of Immature Gulf Coast Ticks (Amblyomma Maculatum Koch) in Mississippi Jose Santos Portugal Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td Recommended Citation Portugal, Jose Santos, "Off-Host Biology and Ecology of Immature Gulf Coast Ticks (Amblyomma Maculatum Koch) in Mississippi" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 3352. https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/3352 This Dissertation - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Scholars Junction. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Junction. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Template B v3.0 (beta): Created by J. Nail 06/2015 Off-host biology and ecology of immature Gulf Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum Koch) in Mississippi By TITLE PAGE José Santos Portugal III A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology (Medical) in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology & Plant Pathology Mississippi State, Mississippi May 2017 Copyright by COPYRIGHT PAGE José Santos Portugal III 2017 Off-host biology and ecology of immature Gulf Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum Koch) in Mississippi By APPROVAL PAGE José Santos Portugal III Approved: ____________________________________ Jerome Goddard (Major Professor) ____________________________________ Andrea S. Varela-Stokes (Minor Professor) ____________________________________ Gerald T. Baker (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Jeffrey W. Harris (Committee Member) ____________________________________ John C. Schneider (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Kenneth O. Willeford (Graduate Coordinator) ____________________________________ George M. Hopper Dean College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Name: José Santos Portugal III ABSTRACT Date of Degree: May 5, 2017 Institution: Mississippi State University Major Field: Entomology (Medical) Major Professor: Jerome Goddard Title of Study: Off-host biology and ecology of immature Gulf Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum Koch) in Mississippi Pages in Study: 148 Candidate for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Little is understood about off-host behavior and ecology of immature Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Gulf Coast tick). A more complete understanding of this tick is essential to protect human and animal health. My research focused on seasonality and distribution of immatures in Mississippi, potential suitability of some insect and human hosts to larvae, and aspects of nymphal questing behavior. A single larva was collected (third off-host collection reported) when sampling A. maculatum habitat using a novel device. Collection of this larva in November expands the stage’s known seasonality and confirmed a prediction concerning seasonality of larval A. maculatum. Low frequency of immatures (8.3%) confirmed that they’re incredibly difficult to collect off-host. Nymphal collections peaked in March, and known seasonality was extended for both nymphs and adults. I examined known records, elucidating seasonality and distribution of A. maculatum in Mississippi. Either multiple generations per year or diapause are responsible for observed bi-modal distribution of immature collections. Additionally, I compiled the most extensive host record of immature A. maculatum in Mississippi and investigated seasonality patterns using USDA plant hardiness zones. I compiled the most complete record of ticks found on arthropods. Amblyomma americanum and A. maculatum were both confirmed to crawl onto arthropods, giving support to occasional, unintentional dispersal by phoresy. There was no conclusive evidence that larval A. maculatum feed on arthropods, however data supported feeding by larval A. americanum. These results have interesting implications regarding evolution of pathogens/endosymbionts. I provided the first evidence that larval A. maculatum can attach to humans. Rickettsia parkeri, a human pathogen transmitted by this species has recently been shown to be capable of transovarial transmission. Therefore, larval A. maculatum may provide another avenue of transmission. I have demonstrated that A. maculatum are difficult to collect off-host in part because they prefer to quest low to the ground. In choice studies, 5-cm-tall stems were most likely to be occupied by nymphs released into an array of stems. Low vapor pressure deficit encouraged questing, while higher VPD and warmer temperature increased questing height. These results may have implications in understanding host- seeking behavior in other tick species as well. DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my family, as they have been my support and motivation throughout my academic journey. My mother LuAnn Portugal and my father José Santos Portugal Aguilar II worked hard to instill in me a strong work ethic, a desire to learn, and a love of reading. My little brother and sister Jon-Mikel and Stephanie Renée Portugal inspired me during my youth, and I am in awe of the incredible adults they have grown to become. My intelligent, beautiful wife Nicole Marie Portugal was the driving force behind me completing my undergraduate degree and throughout graduate school; I cannot imagine my life without her. Finally, my amazing son Cameron Santos Portugal. You inspire me to be better, and I hope that the work I put into this dissertation in some way serves as an inspiration to you as well. Deo Gratias! ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to acknowledge foremost, my major advisor Dr. Jerome Goddard. You and your kind wife Rosella were the reason why Nicole and I decided on Mississippi State University; a choice that we are very happy we made. My time in graduate school at “State” was incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. You always fought for me and did what you could to ensure that I succeeded. I could not have asked for a better mentor, instructor, and friend. As an undergraduate student at Texas A&M University, I was fortunate to have worked with Dr. Pete Teel. Introducing me to the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) ticks and bovine babesiosis started me on a course that has led me to this point. Sir, you were spot on when you suggested I reach out to Jerome for graduate school, and I thank you for that advice. Your kind words and mentorship allowed me to see something in myself that I’d never seen before. My minor advisor and the remainder of my committee have helped guide me though this journey. Your suggestions, revisions, comments, and scrutiny contributed to this work and my success as a graduate student. I would also like to thank Dr. Scott Willard, the faculty staff and students of the Mississippi State University Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, & Plant Pathology, Dr. Jeffrey L. Ullman, and the teachers/mentors throughout every level of my education. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER I. A REVIEW OF LITERATURE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE GULF COAST TICK, AMBLYOMMA MACULATUM KOCH (ACARI: IXODIDAE), WITH EMPHASIS ON THE IMMATURE STAGES .............................1 Background and history .........................................................................................1 Distribution of the Gulf Coast tick ........................................................................6 Pathogens and diseases associated with the Gulf Coast tick ...............................10 Natural history of immature Amblyomma maculatum .........................................15 Purpose of this study ...........................................................................................16 Dissertation objectives .........................................................................................16 References ...........................................................................................................18 II. COLLECTIONS OF IMMATURE AMBLYOMMA MACULATUM KOCH (ACARI: IXODIDAE) FROM MISISSIPPI, U.S.A. .................27 Abstract ................................................................................................................27 Introduction .........................................................................................................28 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................29 Site A (Northern Mississippi) ........................................................................30 Site B (Southern Mississippi) ........................................................................31 Novel “Swabbing” Method ...........................................................................32 Results and Discussion ........................................................................................34 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................38
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