Critical role of symbiotic bacteria in the blood digestion of Dermanyssus gallinae mites

Endosymbiotic bacteria exert profound effects on the fitness of their arthropod hosts. Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite, is a blood-feeding ectoparasite that feeds solely on blood of their avian hosts. A relatively comprehensive understanding of its microbial community structures across developmental stages is available. Yet, their functional integration within the host physiology remains elusive. This study endeavors to illuminate the role of symbiotic bacteria in the biology of the D. gallinae mites.