Amblyomma americanum is a medically important vector of Ehrlichiosis and Alpha-Gal Syndrome, with an expanding range that poses an increasing public health threat in the Southeastern United States. Despite its significance, the embryonic development of this species and the role of ecdysone signaling remain poorly understood. In this study, embryogenesis in A. americanum was characterized by sampling eggs at seven developmental time points (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days post-oviposition). Nuclear dynamics were examined using DAPI staining, revealing distinct stages of cell division and differentiation. To assess hormonal regulation, the relative expression of ecdysone-responsive genes was quantified across developmental stages via RT-qPCR. RNA sequencing is planned to identify additional components of the ecdysone signaling pathway involved in embryogenesis. Preliminary RT-qPCR results show that several ecdysone-responsive genes, including E75, EcR, and HR3, exhibit stage-specific expression patterns, suggesting a regulatory role for ecdysone during tick development. These findings provide a foundation for future studies of tick embryogenesis and identify candidate genes for functional analysis. Ultimately, describing the molecular mechanisms of tick development may inform novel strategies for vector control.
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