Genome-wide insights into genetic diversity of endemic and non-endemic Ixodes ricinus populations.

ABSTRACT: Ixodes ricinus, a major vector of tick-borne pathogens in Europe, exhibits considerable geographic variation in genetic structure and vector competence. This study investigates genome-wide polymorphism and population structure in I. ricinus populations from Türkiye -where tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is not endemic-compared to populations from Germany and Algeria, for which genomic data are publicly available. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 15 individuals from four geographically distinct Turkish populations and evaluated with German and Algerian samples available in GenBank. Principal component analysis (PCA) and ADMIXTURE clustering revealed clear genetic separation between Turkish and German populations. Genomic diversity scans identified 37 highly differentiated genomic regi

SUBMITTER: Hekimoglu O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12489033 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature