Genome sequences of four Ixodes species expands understanding of tick evolution.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ticks, hematophagous Acari, pose a significant threat by transmitting various pathogens to their vertebrate hosts during feeding. Despite advances in tick genomics, high-quality genomes were lacking until recently, particularly in the genus Ixodes, which includes the main vectors of Lyme disease.

Results

Here, we present the genome sequences of four tick species, derived from a single female individual, with a particular focus on the European species Ixodes ricinus, achieving a chromosome-level assembly. Additionally, draft assemblies were generated for the three other Ixodes species, I. persulcatus, I. pacificus, and I. hexagonus. The quality of the four genomes and extensive annotation of several important gene families have allowed us to study the evolution of

SUBMITTER: Cerqueira de Araujo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11752866 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature