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[[Image:Deer tick.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Deer tick - Scott Bauer]]
[[Image:Deer tick.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Deer tick - Scott Bauer]]
===Gross Morphology===
===Gross Morphology===
Ticks have 2 body parts, the capitulum or gnathosoma is the head part on which the mouthparts are located. The idiosoma is the main body part and contains the mojor organs of the tick, the eyes if they are present are also located on the idiosoma. Ticks are members of the order metastigmata, meaning they have complex breathing apparatus, these are known as '''spiracles''' and are located on either side of the idiosoma and allow gas exchange to take place whilst the ticks mouthparts are used solely for feeding.
===Hard ticks===
===Hard ticks===
Hard ticks are so called due to the presence of a hard, chitinous covering on the dorsal surface called the '''scutum'''. In males this scutum covers the entire body surface, however in females only a small area behind the head is covered. The lack of hard covering in females allows much greater engorgement during feeding, up to three times their unfed size. Hard ticks have prominent biting mouthparts on the capitulum used for attachment to the host and for feeding.
Hard ticks are so called due to the presence of a hard, chitinous covering on the dorsal surface called the '''scutum'''. In males this scutum covers the entire body surface, however in females only a small area behind the head is covered. The lack of hard covering in females allows much greater engorgement during feeding, up to three times their unfed size. Hard ticks have prominent biting mouthparts on the capitulum used for attachment to the host and for feeding.
The body of hard ticks can be either ornate, with coloured enamal patches on the scutum, or inornate. Around the posterior body margin of these ticks festoons('pie crust edging') can be seen.
The body of hard ticks can be either ornate, with coloured enamal patches on the scutum, or inornate. Around the posterior body margin of these ticks festoons ('pie crust edging') can be seen.
===Soft ticks===
===Soft ticks===
[[Image:Engorged Ixodes scapularis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Engorged ''Ixodes scapularis'' - Thomas Hedden]]
[[Image:Engorged Ixodes scapularis.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Engorged ''Ixodes scapularis'' - Thomas Hedden]]
During feeding the tick stands upright to penetrate the skin of the host with well adapted mouthparts. Once inserted the mouthparts are cemented in place by backwards facing teeth and the excretion of cement. Ticks utilise the same groove in the hypostome to secret saliva into the host and draw blood. Tick saliva contains seeveral important substances to aid the ticks feeding;
During feeding the tick stands upright to penetrate the skin of the host with well adapted mouthparts. Once inserted the mouthparts are cemented in place by backwards facing teeth and in hard ticks the excretion of cement. Ticks utilise the same groove in the hypostome to secret saliva into the host and draw blood. Tick saliva contains seeveral important substances to aid the ticks feeding;
*Histamine blocking agents - minimise the hosts inlfammatory response.
*Histamine blocking agents - minimise the hosts inlfammatory response.
*Anticoagulants - ensure the free flow of blood and prevent clot formation
*Anticoagulants - ensure the free flow of blood and prevent clot formation
During feeding excess water is passed back into the host via the hypostome as the tick is unable to remove water via its cuticle, this allows greater intake of blood from the host.
During feeding excess water is passed back into the host via the hypostome as the tick is unable to remove water via its cuticle, this allows greater intake of blood from the host.
[[Category:Ticks]]
==Test yourself with the Ticks Flashcards==
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]
[[Ticks_Flashcards|Ticks Flashcards]]
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[[Category:Ticks|A]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]