Feeding the resistance: Responses to repeat infestations of regionally native and invasive ticks on white-tailed deer

As shifting climate patterns increasingly impact ecosystems, the historic ranges of several tick species are expanding, and the phenology of tick activity is shifting. This expansion has the potential to disrupt local ecosystems by altering host-parasite dynamics. Furthermore, these changes may affect biodiversity, as native species could struggle to adapt to new tick species, further destabilizing ecological balance. Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) are moving into the Northeastern United States, where they have become the dominant tick species in some areas. White-tailed deer, a keystone host for Lone Star ticks and the endemic Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), play a crucial role in the ecology of these ticks. However, it remains unclear how white-tailed deer respond to tick pressure from multiple species and the competitive interactions between the two ticks. This study investigates whether repeated infestations with A. americanum or I. scapularis induce differential host responses in white-tailed deer, potentially leading to acquired resistance. By comparing histopathological changes at bite sites, transcriptomic profiles, and serum-based immune responses across treatment groups, we aim to determine how tick species identity and prior exposure affect tick feeding success and host tissue reactivity.