Genome Sequencing and Transcriptome Analysis of the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick

Abstract

Record ID: 288

Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: NA

Presentation Type: Poster

Abstract: Dermacentor andersoni, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, is an important vector for Colorado tick fever and Rock Mountain spotted fever. This tick has been understudied, and a better understanding of its biology is needed for developing disease prevention and vector control strategies. A genome was assembled for D. andersoni from long-read PacBio sequences and annotated with the NCBI eukaryotic genome annotation pipeline. The quality and completeness of the genome were high with most scaffolds matching chromosomes and a BUSCO score of 94.0%. Following our genome sequencing, this project identified specific genes involved in blood feeding across a range of tissue types and life stages for D. andersoni. To accomplish this, RNA-seq analysis was used to investigate differential gene expression in several tissues of D. andersoni adults, nymphs, and larvae from before and after feeding. Based on this analysis, several gene groups have been identified that are involved in blood feeding. Furthermore, we establish specific transcriptional profiles associated with sex and developmental stages for this tick. This outcome will further knowledge of blood feeding in ticks and allow for the development of strategies that limit the spread of diseases transmitted by ticks.