Publications and Research
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
5-2018
Abstract
The focus of much tick research is often on the detrimental effects caused by the pathogens found inside the ticks. However, some focus has been shifted towards researching the natural microbiota already present and trying to determine if host-pathogen interactions are influenced by the gut microbiota. Lone Star, Deer / Black-Legged, and Dog ticks at each life stage (larval, nymph, adult) had their guts collected and analyzed. Larvae were unfed, nymphs had fed once, and the adults have fed at least twice. Three samples of each species adult male and female were collected along with three samples of their nymph (not sexed) and larval stages. The Lone Star tick at adult, nymph, and larval samples were each comprised mostly of Anaerococcus Octavius while the adult, nymph, and larval samples of the Deer and Dog ticks were each comprised of a variety of different organisms. In the long run, this can imply that some microbiota are conserved between the different life stages of certain species of ticks and this information can be analyzed further for future research on the effects microbiota have on their host.
Comments
This poster was presented as the 28th Semi-Annual Honors and Undergraduate Research Scholars Poster Presentation at New York City College of Technology, May 2, 2018.