Pathogens Manipulating Tick Behavior-Through a Glass, Darkly

Pathogens can manipulate the phenotypic traits of their hosts and vectors, maximizing their own fitness. Among the phenotypic traits that can be modified, manipulating vector behavior represents one of the most fascinating facets. How pathogens infection affects behavioral traits of key insect vectors has been extensively investigated. Major examples includePlasmodium,LeishmaniaandTrypanosomaspp. manipulating the behavior of mosquitoes, sand flies and kissing bugs, respectively. However, research on how pathogens can modify tick behavior is patchy. This review focuses on current knowledge about the behavioral changes triggered byAnaplasma,Borrelia,Babesia,Bartonella,Rickettsiaand tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in tick vectors, analyzing their potential adaptive significance. As a general trend, being infected byBorreliaand TBEV boosts tick mobility (both questing and walking activity).BorreliaandAnaplasmainfection magnifiesIxodesdesiccation resistance, triggering physiological changes (Borrelia: higher fat reserves;Anaplasma: synthesis of heat shock proteins).Anaplasmainfection also improves cold resistance in infected ticks through synthesis of an antifreeze glycoprotein. Being infected byAnaplasma,BorreliaandBabesialeads to increased tick survival.Borrelia,BabesiaandBartonellainfection facilitates blood engorgement. In the last section, current challenges for future studies are outlined.