The accompanying questions are:
1. What arthropod is shown here
2. What stages of the arthropod are seen?
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Welcome to Parasite Case of the Week
Every week I will post a new Case, along with the answer to the previous case. Please feel free to write in with your answers, comments, and questions. Also check out my image archive website at http://parasitewonders.com. Enjoy!
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Please note that all opinions expressed here are mine and not my employer. Information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. I do not accept medical consults from patients.
The Fine Print:
Please note that all opinions expressed here are mine and not my employer. Information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. I do not accept medical consults from patients.
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11 comments:
Impressive, the species appear to be Ixodes, the nymph stage with six legs morphs into the right legged stage.
Florida Fan
Oops,
I meant eight eight legged stage.
Florida Fan
I think Florida Fan is correct!
I’m rather sure it is a tick. I don’t dare say Ixodes sp. but it looks like a “hard” tick.
It sheds its exuvium as a nymph (six legs) to become adult (eight legged).
Very impressive video!
Ixodes larva (6 legs) and nymph (8 legs) - speedy little critter...
Well, it looks like a nymph stage of a hard tick (class Ixodidae). It has 4 pairs of legs and a prominent dorsal shield (scutum).
just a hunch....I think it's a female hard tick because, unlike male hard ticks, its scutum does not cover its dorsal cavity completely.
Yet, I'm not absolutely sure about that.
Agree with Ixodes. Click at the right time and you can see U-shaped anal groove inverted over the anus.
Ixodes Scapularis changing from a nymph into an adult.
Just a guess but I’m going with adult female.
And in a hurry for her next blood meal.
sheds its exuvium as a nymph
Thank you Anon, on full screen if one clicks at the right moment when the tick turns its belly up, the inverted V of the anal groove can be easily seen. This confirms the female (scutum covering only anterior abdomen) Ixodes nymph with three pairs of leggs shedding its exovium to become an adult female tick with four pairs of legs.
Florida Fan
It would be a nymph of Ixodes sp., (since we can see the distinct anal groove embracing the anus anteriorly, Prostriata section), emerging from a larval exuvium with six legs. Also, if it were a female it should have porous areas at the basis capituli; they do not appear to be visible.
Fantastic video, by the way.
Nymphs lack porose areas on the basis capitulum and have a scutum that covers only the anterior half of the dorsum, regardless of whether they will later molt into male or female adults.
The video shows a larval Ixodes molting into a nymph.
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