Intracellular Symbionts and Other Bacteria Associated with Deer Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) from Nantucket and Wellfleet, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The diversity of bacteria associated with the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) was assessed using PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes originating from seven ticks collected from Nantucket Island and Wellfleet, Cape Cod, Mass. The majority of sequences obtained originated from gram-negative proteobacteria. Four intracellular bacteria were detected including strains ofEhrlichia,Rickettsia, andWolbachiaand an organism related to intracellular insect symbionts from theCytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroidesgroup. Several strains of members of theSphingomonadaceaewere also detected in all but one tick. The results provide a view of the diversity of bacteria associated withI. scapularisticks in the field.