Transcriptomic analysis of the poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, across all stages of the lifecycle

Abstract Background The blood feeding poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae , causes substantial economic damage to the egg laying industry worldwide, and is a serious welfare concern for hens house workers. In this study we have investigated temporal gene expression across 6 stages/sexes (egg, larvae, protonymph deutonymph, adult male female) of neglected parasite in order understand associated with development, parasitic lifestyle, reproduction allergen expression. Results RNA-seq transcript data stages were mapped PRM genome creating publicly available atlas (on OrcAE platform conjunction genome). Network analysis clustering stage-enriched resulted 17 superclusters stage-specific or multi-stage profiles. stage specific clearly demarked from each other female supercluster contained most transcripts (2725), whilst fewest (165). Fifteen pairwise comparisons performed between different total 6025 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) ( P > 0.99). These evaluated alongside Venn/Euler top 100 abundant genes stage. An expanded set cuticle proteins enzymes (chitinase metallocarboxypeptidases) identified larvae underpin formation ecdysis Two mucin/peritrophic-A salivary (DEGAL6771g00070, DEGAL6824g00220) highly expressed blood-feeding stages, indicating peritrophic membrane during feeding. Reproduction-associated vitellogenins females whilst, males, an serine cysteine proteinases epididymal protein (DEGAL6668g00010) abundant. Assessment patterns putative homologues 32 groups dust mites indicated bias their towards non-feeding larval PRM. Conclusions This first evaluation all has provided insight into developmental, feeding, survival strategies employed by mite. resource on offers valuable tool researchers investigating biology novel interventions parasite.