Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The α-Gpdh polymorphism in the tick Ixodes ricinus: similar diurnal trends in genotypic composition in Irish and Swedish population samples

  • Published:
Experimental & Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analysis of the α-Gpdh locus, coding for the enzyme α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), was conducted using starch-gel electrophoresis on samples from one Irish and one Swedish population of the tick Ixodes ricinus. Morning (‘AM’) and late afternoon (‘PM’) samples of unfed adults were collected in each case. The results show a higher frequency of homozygotes in females in the AM than in the PM sub-samples in both populations. No such diurnal differentiation was found in the case of male ticks. The results are discussed in relation to previous studies on the polymorphism in Ireland and in the context of the known metabolic role of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in insect muscle. The possible selective influence of climatological factors is considered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barnes P.T. and Laurie-Ahlberg C. 1986. Genetic variability of flight metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster. III. Effects of GPDH allozymes and environmental temperature on power output. Genetics 112: 267–298.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bergström H. and Moberg A. 2002. Daily air temperature and pressure series for Uppsala (1722- 1998). Climate Change 53: 213–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bewley E.R. and Miller S. 1979. Origin and differentiation of soluble α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase isozymes in Drosophila melanogaster. In: Liss A.R. (ed) Current Topics in Biological and Medical Research. pp. 23–52.

  • Bilham E.G. 1938. The Climate of the British Isles. Macmillan, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandler T.J. and Gregory S. 1976. The Climate of the British Isles. Longman, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clayton J.W. and Tretiak D.N. 1972. Amine citrate buffers for pH control in starch gel electrophoresis. J. Fisheries Res. Board Can. 29: 1169–1172.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delaye C., Béati L., Aeschlimann A., Renaud F. and De Meeûs T. 1997. Population genetic structure of Ixodes ricinus in Switzerland from allozymic data: no evidence of divergence between nearby sites. Int. J. Parasitol. 27(7): 769–773.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Estrada-Peña A., Gray J.S. and Kahl O. 1996. Variability in cuticular hydrocarbons and phenotypic discrimination of Ixodes ricinus populations (Acarina: Ixodidae) from Europe. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 20: 457–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graf J.-F. 1978. Copulation, nutrition et ponte chez Ixodes ricinus L. (Ixodoidea:Ixodidae) - 2e partie. Bull. Soc. Entomol. Suisse 51: 241–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Healy J.A. 1979. Analysis of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase variability in the tick Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae). Genetica 50(1): 19–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen P.M., Kaufman U. and Smirnova L. 2000. Diurnal activity of Ixodes ricinus in Denmark: aspects of physiological age and genotypic variation. Hereditas 130: 325–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lees A.D. 1948. The sensory physiology of the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus L. J. Exp. Biol. 25: 145–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees A.D. and Milne A. 1951. The seasonal and diurnal activities of individual sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus L.). Parasitology 41: 189–208.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller S., Pearcy R.W. and Berger E. 1975. Polymorphism at the α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase locus in Drosophila melanogaster. 1. Properties of adult allozymes. Biochem. Genet. 13: 175–188.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milne A. 1947. The ecology of the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus L. Some further aspects of activity, seasonal and diurnal. Parasitology 38: 27–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oakeshott J.G., Gibson J.B., Anderson P.R., Knibb W.R. and Chambers G.K. 1982. Alcohol dehydrogenase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase clines in Drosophila melanogaster on different continents. Evolution 36: 86–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien S.J. and MacIntyre R.J. 1972. The α-glycerophosphate cycle in Drosophila melanogaster. II. Genetic aspects. Genetics 71: 127–138.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sacktor B. 1970. Regulation of intermediary metabolism, with special reference to control mechanisms in insect flight muscle. Adv. Insect Physiol. 7: 267–347.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw C.R. and Prasad R. 1970. Starch gel electrophoresis of enzymes - a compilation of recipes. Biochem. Genet. 4: 297–320.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sonenshine D.E. 1991. Biology of Ticks. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward J.P., Candy D.J. and Smith S.N. 1982. Lipid storage and changes during flight by triatomine bugs (Rhodnius prolixus and Triatoma infestans). J. Ins. Physiol. 28: 527–534.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College, Cork, Ireland

    J.A.E. Healy, T.F. Cross & A. Healy

Authors
  1. J.A.E. Healy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T.F. Cross
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Healy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J.A.E. Healy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Healy, J., Cross, T. & Healy, A. The α-Gpdh polymorphism in the tick Ixodes ricinus: similar diurnal trends in genotypic composition in Irish and Swedish population samples. Exp Appl Acarol 32, 111–118 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APPA.0000018198.83551.72

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:APPA.0000018198.83551.72

Search

Navigation