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Ixodidae

Ixodidae

Ixodidae

Taxonomy

  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Arthropoda
  • Class Arachnida
  • Order Ixodida
  • Family Ixodidae

Final host

  • Mammal, birds and reptiles

    Morphology

  • Macroscopic parasites with a rigid chitinous scutum which covers the entire dorsal surface of the adult male whereas it covers only a small area in the adult female and in the larva and nimph
  • Relatively large ticks flattened dorsoventrally
  • The gnathosome (anterior and visible from above) consists of two dorsal chelicerae, two protective palps and a single ventromedial piece, the hypostome, which lies below the chelicerae
  • The gnathosome is inserted in a structure called "basis capituli"

    Cycle

  • Direct, with 4 stages (egg, larva, nimph and adult). Depending on the species (one-host, two-hosts or three-hosts cycle)

    Location

  • Skin surface (temporary parasites)

    Feeding

  • Haematophagous (all stages)

    Diagnostic

  • Larvae, nymphs and adults

    Transmission

  • Larvae, nymphs and adults