Does Interstate 40 facilitate or impede tick dispersal?

Ticks carry and transmit multiple pathogens that can cause serious problems for humans and animals; consequently, tick movement and dispersal is critical to understanding vector ecology and disease transmission. The movement of ticks in both directions, parallel to the interstate or across it, and the role the interstate plays in inhibiting (impeding gene flow and pathogen transmission) or facilitating (assisting gene flow and pathogen transmission) this movement will be explored. The objective of this project will examine if Interstate 40 prevents or facilitates tick dispersal and gene flow by comparing tick numbers, tick species, and tick genetic diversity across geographic space and time. Ticks were collected from designated travel stops along the east and west bound confines of Interstate 40 using vegetation drags with a 1m x 1m corduroy cloth. Specimens were stored in 80%ethanol and identified to species, sex, and life stage. To determine gene flow, DNA from the most commonly collected tick (Amblyomma americanum) was extracted and population genetic analyses (genetic diversity, F statistics) were conducted from amplified 12S rDNA sequences. By comparing species composition, diversity, abundance, and genetic differences of ticks along the interstate, we hope to provide new and useful scientific information that provides insight to a previously unstudied portion of vector ecology and disease transmission.