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''Rhipicephalus spp'' are mostly three host ticks, although some have a two host life cycle. They are commonly found on mammals but rarely infest reptiles and birds.  

''Rhipicephalus spp'' are mostly three host ticks, although some have a two host life cycle. They are commonly found on mammals but rarely infest reptiles and birds. These  species were previously indigenous to the 'Old World', but  have now  been spread to a range of habitats worldwide and are important  vectors  of several infectious agents. They can generally be identified by:

''Rhipicephalus spp.'' can be identified by;

 

*Wide palps

*Short, wide palps

*Hexagonal base of capitulum

*Hexagonal base of capitulum

*Eyes present on idiosoma

*Eyes present on idiosoma

*Comma shaped spiracles

*Comma shaped spiracles

====''R. sanguineus''====

 

===''R. sanguineus''===

This species is found throughout the world, mainly affecting dogs but also found on other mammals and birds including humans. In dogs its main predilection sites are behind the ears and between the toes. In the UK these ticks are found in houses and kennels as the outdoor conditions are not suitable, however in warmer climates the ticks can be found outdoors. This adult tick is yellow/brown in colour, while larvae are light brown and nymphs reddish. The adults can vary in size from 3mm up to 12mm in the engorged female. It is a three host tick and can complete its life cycle in 4 - 5 months, though this may take longer in colder conditions. Mating takes place on the host and once inseminated the female will feed for a number of days before shedding from the host. She will then lay approximately 4000 eggs in raised, sheltered spots and so eggs can often be found in kennel roof spaces. In dogs this tick can cause paralysis as well as acting as a vector for  Lyme disease (''[[Borrelia burgdorferi]]''), ''[[Babesia]] canis'', ''B.gibson'', ''[[Ehrlichia canis]]'', ''E.vogeli'', ''[[Salmonella]] enteritidis'', ''[[Hepatozoon]] canis'', ''Rickettsia conorii'', Q fever, as well as ''[[Rickettsia rickettsii]]'' (Rocky mountain spotted fever) in parts of the USA and Mexico.

This species is found throughout the world, mainly affecting dogs but also found on other mammals and birds including humans. In dogs its main predilection sites are behind the ears and between the toes. In the UK these ticks are found in houses and kennels as the outdoor conditions are not suitable, however in warmer climates the ticks can be found outdoors. This adult tick is yellow/brown in colour, while larvae are light brown and nymphs reddish. The adults can vary in size from 3mm up to 12mm in the engorged female. It is a three host tick and can complete its life cycle in 4 - 5 months, though this may take longer in colder conditions. Mating takes place on the host and once inseminated the female will feed for a number of days before shedding from the host. She will then lay approximately 4000 eggs in raised, sheltered spots and so eggs can often be found in kennel roof spaces. In dogs this tick can cause paralysis as well as acting as a vector for  Lyme disease (''[[Borrelia burgdorferi]]''), ''[[Babesia]] canis'', ''B.gibson'', ''[[Ehrlichia canis]]'', ''E.vogeli'', ''[[Salmonella]] enteritidis'', ''[[Hepatozoon]] canis'', ''Rickettsia conorii'', Q fever, as well as ''[[Rickettsia rickettsii]]'' (Rocky mountain spotted fever) in parts of the USA and Mexico.

[[Category:Hard_Ticks_-_UK]][[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]][[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Hard_Ticks_-_UK]][[Category:Hard Ticks - Overseas]][[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]][[Category:Expert_Review]]