Bloodmeal metabarcoding of the argasid tick (Ornithodoros turicata Dugès) reveals extensive vector-host associations

Molecular methods to understand host feeding patterns of arthropod vectors are critical to assess exposure risk to vector-borne disease and unveil complex ecological interactions. We build on our prior work discovering the utility of PCR-Sanger sequencing bloodmeal analysis that work well for soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae), unlike for hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), thanks to their unique physiology that retains prior bloodmeals for years. Here, we apply bloodmeal metabarcoding using amplicon deep sequencing to identify multiple host species in individual Ornithodoros turicata soft ticks collected from two natural areas in Texas, United States. Of 788 collected O. turicata, 394 were evaluated for bloodmeal source via metabarcoding, revealing 27 different vertebrate hosts (17 mammals, 5 birds, 1 reptile, and 4 amphibians) fed upon by 274 soft ticks. Information on multiple hosts was derived from 167 individual O. turicata (61%). Metabarcoding revealed mixed vertebrate bloodmeals in O. turic..., Please see manuscript and README, , # **Bloodmeal metabarcoding of the argasid tick (Ornithodoros turicata Dugès) reveals extensive vector-host associations.**

Soft ticks (*Ornithodoros turicata)* were collected using sticky traps from two locations in Texas - Government Canyon State Natural Area and Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Soft ticks are hematorphagous and vector various viral and bacterial disease. The *O. turicata* sof ticks collected were identfied to life stage and species and individually analysed for the vertebrate bloodmeal to establish a host network for these soft ticks.

## Description of data:

This data deposit contains raw data from next generation Illumina sequencing of metabarcoding PCR looking for blood meal hosts consumed by *Ornithodoros turicata* collected from two locations in Texas, USA. Primers used to amplify bloodmeals were 12s rRNA primers - forward 12 S rRNA Primer 5'CAAACTGGGATTAGATACC3' Reverse 12 S rRNA Primer 5'AGAACAGGCTCCTCTAG3', from Humair et al., 2007 (Humair, P.-F...