Promoted
Soft Tick or Argus persicus ventral side
f5.6, 24 steps at 58microns, 100 ISO, 1/6 sec.
Note:
-the genital aperture. Slit below the mouth parts
-right and left spiracle on protuberance between legs 3 and 4
-anus is the ovoid shape in the centerline below the hind legs
-usually no eyes
''Argas persicus'', also known as fowl tick or poultry tick, is a small soft-bodied tick that is found primarily on domestic fowl such as chickens, ducks, and geese. It was first recorded by Lorenz Oken in 1818 in Mianeh, Persia, and named ''Rhynochoprion persicum''.
''Argas persicus'' appears yellowish-brown when starved and slatey-blue when engorged. They are found on an animal host, in cracks and crevices of buildings or in nests.
They are also carriers of the spirochete.. more
Similar species: Ticks
By William Bodine
All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 14, 2022. Captured Sep 13, 2022 14:09 in 4 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201, USA.
comments (11)
This image gives a really nice look at the spiracular plates!
I also *think* I can see the tiny coxal organs located between the bases of the coxae of the 1st and 2nd pair of legs. The coxal organs filter out excess fluid and salts from bloodmeals, which then pass through the opening. It's hard to differentiate male/female argasid ticks. But, judging from the shape and size of the genital opening, this tick is probably female. But, considering male and female soft ticks ingest blood, unlike ixodid ticks, both sexes are potential disease vectors. So, IDing male vs female soft ticks isn't considered to be that important even though it's still interesting, to me at least. ;P
Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
I'll share a link in a sec if I can find one... Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
http://www.bristoluniversitytickid.uk/uploads/file/image/yw0tmrz9es0y_img_ScutumConscutum.jpg
See section titled 'Scutum or Conscutum' under 'A General Account of Ticks' on the right side:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/gnathosoma
Simply referred to here as the 'scutum' here because 'conscutum' is not a term usually used:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1NIqwy5LlTfz2Zfb2Uig22vPjDiqPup0noQ&usqp=CAU Posted 2 years ago, modified 2 years ago
This link shows a diagram of the lack of scutum or conscutum in males. I totally defer to your experience. Posted 2 years ago
And, now you may know more than you ever wished to know about soft ticks, lol. Posted 2 years ago
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Morphological-features-of-soft-ticks-family-Argasidae-Example-is-an-adult-female-of_fig20_263291136
These ticks are just crazy. How much fun can one frustrated want to be entomologist like me have? Posted 2 years ago