The lower peninsula of Michigan is inhabited by two species of closely related white-footed deer mice, Peromyscus leucopus and Peromyscus maniculatus. Both of these species are hosts for the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis which acts as the vector for B. burgdorferi infection. However, it’s been determined that P. leucopus is the main reservoir host for the Lyme-disease-causing bacterium, due to its ability to maintain the bacterial infection for long periods of time. The lower peninsula is not yet completely colonized by B. burgdorferi. Thus, our team looked to define where infected P. leucopus and infected ticks populations were both present, meaning Lyme disease is present in the area. Tissue samples from individual mice were collected in the field over the summer of 2021 in isolated, old-growth forested habitats. Age, sex, reproductive status, species, ear length, weight, trap ID, and the number of parasites (ticks and fleas) were recorded for each individual mouse. Using PCR, we identified which mice were carrying Lyme disease based on the presence or absence of B. burgdorferi DNA in their tissue. We concluded that sustained B, burgdorferi populations expanded north along the western coast of the lower peninsula, and that infected P. leucopus and I. scapularis must both be sufficiently present to sustain B. burgdorferi populations. Going forward, our team is looking to uncover if the ability of P. leucopus to maintain B. burgdorferi infection is an inheritable characteristic and differs among family lines.
Author(s): Noelle Wittwer, Zoology Major
Adam Livingston, Biology Major
Advisor(s): Susan Hoffman, Department of Biology
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