Ectoparasites II- Ticks Flashcards

1
Q

Why are ticks so important?

A

Obligate blood-sucking parasites

Can cause disease directly and indirectly

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2
Q

Describe insects

A

Body parts: head, thorax, abdomen
Legs: 3 pairs (6)
Antennae: present
Wings: present or absent

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3
Q

Describe arachnids

A

Body parts: cephalothorax, abdomen, or completely fused (ticks are the latter)
Legs: 4 pairs (8)
Antennae: absent
Wings: absent

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4
Q

What do ticks not have morphologically?

A

Antennae
Mandibles
Wings

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5
Q

What do ticks have morphologically?

A

Capitulum
Idiosoma (body)
Legs

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6
Q

What are ticks like in family Argasidae?

A

Soft (“argasid”) ticks

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7
Q

What are ticks like in family Ixodidae?

A

Hard (“ixodid”) ticks

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8
Q

Describe the morphology of Argasid/soft ticks

A

Cannot see mouthpart
No scutum
Leathery integument
Not sexually dimorphic

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9
Q

Describe the life cycle of Argasid/soft ticks

A

Each life stage may use multiple hosts for multiple, quick feedings (larva, nymph, adult)
Females lay multiple small egg batches

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10
Q

Describe the morphology of Ixodid/hard ticks

A

Can see the mouthparts
Female has a partial scutum, male has a complete scutum
They are sexually dimorphic

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11
Q

Describe the life cycle of Ixodid/hard ticks

A

1, 2, 3- host life cycle
Each life stage feeds on one host for a single feeding, usually taking a week (larva, nymph, adult)
Females lay single large egg batch and then die

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12
Q

What is the general life cycle of ticks?

A

Eggs
Six-legged larva
Eight-legged nymph
Eight-legged adult

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13
Q

How many nymphal stages do sift ticks have?

A

2 or more

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14
Q

How many nymphal stages to hard ticks have?

A

1

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15
Q

Describe the hard tick life cycle for 1-host

A

Egg hatches to larva
Larva feeds on host 1—molts to nymph— nymph feeds on host 1— molts to adult— adult feeds/mates on host 1— drops off
Female lays eggs, dies off host

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16
Q

Describe hard tick life cycle for 2-host

A
Egg hatches
Larva feeds on host 1--- molts to nymph--- nymph feeds on host 1--- drops off
Molts to adult off host
Adult feeds/mates on host 2--- drops off
Female lays eggs, dies off host
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17
Q

Describe hard tick life cycle for 3-host

A
Egg hatches
Larva feeds on host 1--- drops off
Molts to nymph off host
Nymph feeds on host 2 --- drops off
Molts to adult off host
Adult feeds/mates on host 3--- drops off
Female lays eggs, dies off host
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18
Q

Where do we find soft ticks?

A

Habitat preference: nidicolous

Environment: tolerate arid environments

19
Q

Where do we find hart ticks?

A

Habitat preference: non-nidicolous

Environment: prefer humid environments

20
Q

What is the host of argas spp?

A

Mainly birds and bats

21
Q

Describe Argas spp.

A

Leathery cuticle
Flat body margin: suture line
Argas persicus: “fowl tick”, “blue bug”, eastern US

22
Q

What is the host of Ornithodoros spp?

A

Mainly mammals

23
Q

Describe Ornithodoros spp.

A

Leathery cuticle
Rounder body margin
No suture line

24
Q

What is the host of Otobius megnini?

A

1-host soft tick: cattle, horses

25
Describe the stages of Obtius megnini
Larva, 2 nymphal stages feed in same ear | Adult stages do not feed
26
What does Otobius cause?
Nymphal tegument spiny: "spinose ear tick"
27
What is the passive method of ticks finding a host?
Ambush/questing Ticks sit and wait for host, then wave forelegs frantically when sense cues Requires direct contact
28
What is the active method of ticks finding a host?
Hunting | Leave resting environment to attack hosts when sense cues
29
What is the host of Ixodes scapularis?
3-host tic Immature ticks: rodents, birds, lizards Adult ticks: white-tailed deer, livestock
30
When are the adult stages of Ixodes scapulairs active?
Cool weather
31
Where is Ixodes pacificus located?
Western US
32
What is the 2 year life cycle of Ixodes scapularis important for?
Maintenance of Lyme disease agent
33
What is the key morphologic difference between Ixodes and other hard ticks?
Location of anal groove
34
What is the host of Amblyomma americanum?
3-host tick | All stages: wide host range, but prefer white tailed deer
35
What does Amblyomma americanum have a high tolerance for?
Warm, humid climates
36
What is the host of Amblyomma maculatum?
3-host tick Immature ticks: birds, small mammals Adult ticks: primarily cattle ("gotch ear")
37
What does Amblyomma maculatum have a high tolerance for?
Hot environments
38
What is the host of Dermacentor variabilis (american dog tick)?
3-host tick Immature ticks: prefer rodents Adult ticks: prefer canine hosts
39
What is the host of Dermacentor andersoni?
3-host tick Immature ticks: prefer rodents Adult ticks: deer, sheep, cattle, etc.
40
What is the host of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)?
3- host tick | All stages: narrow host range, found wherever dogs are
41
Does Rhipicephalus sanguineus tolerate cold weather?
No
42
Describe Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus
1-host ticks: prefer cattle | Cattle tick, cattle fever tick
43
Describe Rhipicephalis (boophilus) microplus
1-host ticks: wider host range | Southern cattle fever tick