Heterogeneous viromes in the salivary glands, ovaries, and midguts suggested differential viral transmission advantages of six tick genera

Abstract

Tick tissues (salivary glands, ovaries, and midguts) are critical for the development of ticks and virus transmission. This study analyzed viromes in these tissues across six tick genera, thereby revealing the viral heterogeneity in tick tissues and suggesting differential transmission advantages among the examined genera. The results provide a novel insight into the understanding of the competence for virus transmission by ticks, based on viral populations, and into the mechanisms underlying virus dissemination within tick bodies, as well as those of vertical or horizontal transmission of viruses linked to the biological functions of tick tissues. The findings also suggest the importance of a more in-depth investigation into viral transmission, with a particular focus on the viromes of tick eggs, saliva, and hemolymph. All these would serve as a crucial foundational framework, establishing a robust foundation for the future development of strategies aimed at the control of viral transmission by ticks.