Ornithodoros spp.
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| Ornithodoros spp. | |
|---|---|
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Parasitiformes |
| Family | Argasidae |
Ornithodoros erraticus
| Also known as: | Ornothodoros marocanus Sand tampan |
Hosts
Mostly small mammals.
Life Cycle
O. erraticus lays eggs in the sand of the habitats where the hosts live. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which undergo several nymphal transformations, before turning into adults, which feed on their hosts.
Ornithodoros hermsi
| Also known as: | Sand tampan |
=Hosts
O. hermsi can affect most mammals, but is seen most commonly amongst rodents.
Identification
It is a pale tick, but after a meal it turns light blue. It is around 5mm in length.
Life Cycle
Like O. erraticus, laying eggs in the sand. The larvae then remain inactive until they moult into nymphs. The nymphs then undergo several further transformations, then become adults.