Ticks

Ticks is a section publishing high quality research in the field of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs). Original contributions of broad experimental and theoretical interest are specially encouraged. Unique discoveries on tick biology and vector competence are welcome. Topics of particular interest within the journal's scope are listed below:

Tick ecology

• Biotic and abiotic factors driving the distribution and abundance of tick populations
• Biogeography of tick populations
• Advances in tick ecophysiology
• Impact of ecological and anthropogenic factors on tick distribution and tick-host- pathogen systems

Tick physiology and behavior

• Neural and sensory systems and signaling pathways
• Reproduction, development and ecdysis
• Blood feeding, digestion and excretion
• Circulatory system and hormonal regulation

Tick holobiont and hologenome

• Tick microbiome and microbial ecology
• Microbe-microbe, microbe-pathogen and microbe-tick interactions
• Symbiotic and syntrophic relationships
• Genomics and post-genomics approaches applied to tick microbiota ecology
• Metagenomics approaches to unravel the genomic and functional potential of tick microbiome

Epidemiology and clinical research

• The impact of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) on human and animal health
• Changing rates of transmission and social factors influencing the emergence of new pathogens
• Role of wildlife as reservoirs and carriers of tick-transmitted pathogens of veterinary and medical concern
• Risk assessment and management of ticks and TBDs
• Case reports of new or emerging TBDs and outbreaks of TBDs in human populations
• Development of innovative next-generation tools for the diagnoses and detection of TBPs and symbionts
• Citizen science approaches aimed to improve human and animal health

Systematics

• Morphological and molecular systematics

Tick and TBP control

• New methods for tick control and mechanism of action of environmentally-friendly acaricides, biopesticides and application of biocontrol approaches
• Novel antigens for anti-tick and transmission-blocking vaccines and mechanism of action of these vaccines
• Identification and use of genetic factors influencing host resistance to ticks
• Integrated tick control including chemical, genetic, biological and immunological control strategies
• Mechanisms of tick resistance to acaricides
• Assessment of economic impact of tick infestation and pathogen infection
• The reporting of national plans and surveys aimed to improve the control of ticks and TBPs, and host management actions

Vector competence

• Environmental (biotic and abiotic) factors affecting pathogen acquisition and transmission
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms for pathogen acquisition and transmission
• Tick immune response to pathogen infection
• Pathogen modulation of tick physiology, immunity and behavior

Tick-host-pathogen interactions

• Mechanisms of tick toxicity and allergies, including α-Gal syndrome
• Mechanisms of host resistance to ticks
• Tick and pathogen modulation of host immune response
• Immune response to tick infestation and TBP infection
• Pharmacological properties of tick salivary molecules