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ARS Home » Plains Area » Kerrville, Texas » Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory » Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419402
Research Project: Management of Ticks of Veterinary Importance

Location: Livestock Arthropod Pest Research Unit

Title: Transcriptome analysis of the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) reveals sex-specific expression patterns and identifies doublesex as a potential target for genetic control

Author
item EDWARDS, RHODRI - University Of California, San Diego
item ANTOSHECHKIN, IGOR - California Institute Of Technology
item HILL, EDDIE - University Of California, San Diego
item PERRY, MICHAEL - University Of California, San Diego
item Olafson, Pia
item Saelao, Perot
item Lohmeyer, Kimberly
item AKBARI, OMAR - University Of California, San Diego

Submitted to: G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/12/2025
Publication Date: 5/23/2025
Citation: Edwards, R. T. M., I. Antoshechkin, E. Hill, M. W. Perry, P. U. Olafson, P. Saelao, K. H. Lohmeyer, and O. S. Akbari. 2025. First transcriptome analysis of the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) reveals sex-specific expression patterns and potential targets for genetic control. G3 (Bethesda). https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkaf116
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkaf116

Interpretive Summary: The winter tick is a significant ectoparasite of ruminants across North America, posing health risks to wildlife and occasionally humans. Despite its ecological importance, limited genomic resources exist for this species. This study provides the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of the winter tick, focusing on adults, reproductive systems, and embryos. We performed RNA sequencing from early stage embryos, sexed adults, and dissected tissues, including ovaries and male reproductive systems. We identified genes that were expressed in a sex-biased pattern and identified genes with a possible role in sex determination. These data serve as a critical resource for understanding the biology of the winter tick and will facilitate the development of novel genetic control strategies. The study also explores the potential of using sequences from genes that are processed in a sex-specific pattern, such as doublesex, laying the groundwork for genetic approaches for tick management.

Technical Abstract: The winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, is a significant ectoparasite of ruminants across North America, posing health risks to wildlife and occasionally humans. Despite its ecological importance, limited genomic resources exist for this species. This study provides the first comprehensive transcriptome analysis of D. albipictus, focusing on adults, reproductive systems, and embryos. We performed RNA sequencing from early stage embryos, sexed adults, and dissected tissues, including ovaries and male reproductive systems. Differential gene expression analysis revealed significant sex-biased expression patterns and functional annotations identified genes involved in sex determination. These transcriptome data serve as a critical resource for understanding the biology of D. albipictus and will facilitate the development of novel genetic control strategies. The study also explores the potential of using sequences from genes with sex-specific splicing, such as doublesex, laying the groundwork for genetic approaches for tick management.