Chapter 4 page 4 Flashcards
Argas persicus is commonly known as a _____although it will also feed on turkeys, pigeons, ostriches, and many wild birds.
fowl ticks
Ticks will bite humans but
are not important HOSTS.
The larvae have round bodies
and 6 legs.
Larvae then drop off and hide for about 7 days during which time
they moult to the first nymphal stage.
The nymphs and adult ticks remain hidden in crevices during the day
and come out to feed at night.
Ticks transmit fatal diseases,
such as fowl spirochaetosis.
Argas persicus are resistant to starvation and
can live for years without feeding.
It’s usually a trait found in bird ticks
(they can live for years without feeding)
**Family Ixodidae: known as
‘hard ticks’ because they have a hard scutum (chitinous shield) on the upper surface.**
Adult male Ixodidae ticks there scutum
thoracic segment of the the body of insect) extends to cover the whole dorsal surface.
Adult female,
the nymphs and the larva, extends a short distance behind the head
The hard tick’s mouthparts projects in front of the body
and are clearly visible from above BUT not in SOFT TICKS.
**Their life cycle is generally simpler too and usually consists of the egg,
6-legged larval stage, a single nymphal stage and then the adult stage. **
Iodide ticks tend to be less active than soft ticks and they often adopt a ‘a soft and wait’
strategy that is called ‘questing.’
Feeding typically takes 4-6 days after which the ticks
proceeds to the next stage in its life cycle.
**Iodide ticks exhibit 3 different life cycle strategies **
one-host ticks
two-host ticks
three-host ticks
One-host ticks
the whole life cycle (apart from egg-laying) takes place on a single individual animal. The larval tick climbs aboard an animal, feed, moults, to the nymphal stage that then feeds and moults to the adult stage, and the adults then feed and mate.
Two-host ticks:
The larval and nymphal stage takes place on a single host but the adult stage parasites a different animal. The larva climbs aboard an animal, feeds, and moults to the nymphal stage.
Three-host ticks:
Most common life cycle strategy among Iodide ticks. These tick species parasite a different animal at each stage in the life cycle.
