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Title

Identifying the sex chromosome and sex determination genes in the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

Authors

Tidwell, Jason P; Bendele, Kylie G; Bodine, Deanna M; Holmes, V Renee; Johnston, J Spencer; Saelao, Perot; Lohmeyer, Kimberly H; Teel, Pete D; Tarone, Aaron M

Abstract

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is globally one of the most economically important ectoparasites of cattle costing the agriculture industry billions of dollars annually. Resistance to chemical control measures has prompted the development of novel methods of control. Recent advancements in genetic control measures for human and other animal vectors have utilized sex determination research to manipulate sex ratios, which have shown promising results in mosquitoes, namely Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Here, we use R. (B.) microplus as a model to provide foundational research to allow similar avenues of investigation in ticks using R. (B.) microplus as a model. Karyotypes for R. (B.) microplus show an XX:XO sex determining system with the largest chromosome being the sex chromosome. Using flow cytometric methods, the size of the sex chromosome was estimated at 526.91 Mb. All measures to identify the sex chromosome within the cattle tick genome assembly associated sex chromosomal characteristics to 2 chromosomes. This discrepancy between the assembly and karyotypes of the tick led to generating a new genome assembly with a single adult male specimen. The 2 chromosomes in question aligned with a single scaffold within the new genome that had a length of 513.29 Mb and was the first time the sex chromosome was identified in an Ixodid genome assembly.

Subjects

SEX determination; ANOPHELES stephensi; CATTLE tick; AEDES aegypti; CHEMICAL resistance; RHIPICEPHALUS; KARYOTYPES

Publication

G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics, 2024, Vol 14, Issue 12, p1

ISSN

2160-1836

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1093/g3journal/jkae234

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