Seasonal and Spatial Occurrence of Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Variability in Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) Populations

Abstract

Previous results indicate that glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase variability represents the adaptation of Ixodes ricinus L. (Acari: Ixodidae) to fluctuations of environmental conditions, particularly to temperature. Analysis of crucial polymorphisms in I. ricinus Gpdh gene was done by the restriction method, and three different haplotypes were obtained (GPDH(441) 1, GPDH(441) 2, and GPDH(441) 3), corresponding to GPDH alleles detected by allozyme electrophoresis. Differences in GPDH(441) haplotype and genotype frequencies were found between samples from open and forest habitats. Significant seasonal variations of GPDH(441) haplotype and genotype frequencies were detected in samples from the open habitats. No seasonal variations were observed at forest localities, probably because of the less pronounced amplitude of environmental factors. The possible role of host availability was discussed as an important factor that affects seasonal dynamics and genetic composition of tick populations.