First transcriptome analysis of the winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>) reveals sex-specific expression patterns and potential targets for genetic control

The winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, is a significant North American ectoparasite, posing health risks to ruminants and occasionally humans. Despite its ecological importance, limited genomic resources exist for this species. This study provides the first comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the recently published winter tick genome, focusing on tissues isolated from early-stage embryos, sexed adults, dissected ovaries, and dissected male reproductive systems. We identified the most abundant gene ontologies and analyzed differential gene expression. Differential gene expression revealed significant sex-biased expression patterns, and functional annotations identified candidate genes involved in sex determination. Notably, we identified the first documented case of sex-specific splicing of a doublesex-like gene in chelicerates, a mechanism previously thought to be absent in this clade. These transcriptome data serve as a critical resource for understanding the biology of D. albipictus and will facilitate the development of novel genetic technologies aimed at population suppression and reduction of tick-borne illnesses.