Which tick is associated with the transmission of Lyme disease?

The black-legged deer tick, also known as the Ixodes scapularis, is the primary vector responsible for the transmission of Lyme disease. This tick is commonly found in wooded and grassy areas where it can easily attach to humans or animals. The reason it is specifically associated with Lyme disease is due to its habit of feeding on various mammals, including deer and rodents, which are reservoirs for the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that causes the disease.

In contrast, the other ticks listed do not play a significant role in the transmission of Lyme disease. The American dog tick, while a common tick, is more often associated with diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. The Rocky Mountain wood tick is primarily known for transmitting diseases such as Colorado tick fever and tularemia. The brown dog tick is not typically involved in the transmission of Lyme disease but is more associated with canine diseases like ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. Therefore, the black-legged deer tick is clearly linked with Lyme disease, highlighting its significance in understanding tick-borne diseases.