Parasitiformes

Ixodida

Argasidae - soft ticks

 

Diagnosis.  Large, typically sack-like and hypertrichous parasitiform mites with papillate integument and without sclerotized shields, but sometimes with a leathery pseudoscutum.  Capitulum mostly to entirely concealed from above by idiosoma; denticulate hypostome produced anteriorly; subcapitular groove and tritosternum absent; palps 4-segmented; chelicerae ending in a pair of slicing digits in a membranous hood.  Stigmatal openings above coxae.

 

Similar taxa.  Hard ticks (Ixodidae) have a sclerotized scutum and the capitulum is completely exposed.

 

Ecology & Distribution.  Soft ticks are obligate blood-sucking parasites of vertebrates living in nests, in soil, under bark, and on animals.

 

Australian Collections.

Argas, Carios, Ornithodoros, Otobius spp.

 

References

Johnston DE.  1982.  Acari.  In: Parker, S.P. (ed.)  Synopsis and classification of living organisms.  McGraw-Hill, New York, p. 111.

Klompen JSH & Oliver Jr., JH.  1993.  Haller’s organs in the tick family Argasidae (Acari: Parasitiformes: Ixodida).  J. Parasitol. 79: 591-603.

Krantz GW.  1978.  A Manual of Acarology.  OSU Bookstores: Corvallis.

Roberts FHS.  1970.  Australian Ticks.  CSIRO: Melbourne.

Sonenshine DE.  1991.  The Biology of Ticks.  Oxford University Press: Oxford.