Reptile Host Associations of Ixodes scapularis in Florida and Implications for Borrelia spp. Ecology

Abstract

Host associations of the tick vector for Lyme Borreliosis, Ixodes scapularis, differ across its geographic range. In Florida, the primary competent mammalian host of Lyme disease is not present but instead has other small mammals and herpetofauna that I. scapularis can utilize. We investigated host–tick association for lizards, the abundance of ticks on lizards and the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl). To determine which lizard species I. scapularis associates with, we examined 11 native lizard species from historical herpetological specimens. We found that (294/5828) of the specimens had attached ticks. The most infested species were Plestiodon skinks (241/1228) and Ophisaurus glass lizards (25/572). These species were then targeted at six field sites across Florida and sampled from June to September 2020, using drift fence arrays, cover boards and fishing. We captured 125 lizards and collected 233 immature I. scapularis. DNA was extracted from ticks and lizard tissue samples, followed by PCR testing for Borrelia spp. Of the captured lizards, 69/125 were infested with immature I. scapularis. We did not detect Borrelia spp. from tick or lizard tissue samples. Overall, we found that lizards are commonly infested with I. scapularis. However, we did not detect Borrelia burgdorferi sl. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that lizards are poor reservoir species.

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA

“…within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex [ 19 , 43 ]. Two additional n-PCRs targeting Borrelia spp., including relapsing fever Borrelia spp., one amplifying the ospA gene and one amplifying the intergenic spacer ( IGS ) gene, were run [ 44 , 45 ] for every tick species, except A. americanum .…”

“…To confirm the identification of microorganisms to genus, positive samples were amplified with a broad Rickettsia spp. primer set, amplifying the gltA gene [ 45 , 47 ], and a broad Anaplasmataceae primer set, amplifying the 16s gene [ 40 , 48 ]. Ehrlichia -positive samples were also run through a species-specific n-PCR, targeting the gltA gene of the Panola Mountain Ehrlichia species [ 49 ].…”