1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter discusses the ticks and their morphology, and genera. The body of a tick is divisible into an anterior region, gnathosoma (capitulum), and a posterior region called the idiosoma or the main body part. In the Ixodidae, a sclerotized shield called the scutum covers the entire dorsal surface. Important structures placed on the ventral side of the ticks are ventral plates, genital aperture, anus, and spiracle. The family Ixodidae includes 13 genera comprising approximately 650 species known from all over the world. In India a total of 88 species belonging to seven genera, which include: Genus Ixodes, Genus Haemaphysalis, Genus Dermacentor, Genus Nosomma, Genus Hyalomma, Genus Rhipicephalus, and Genus Amblyomma, are recorded. Genus Haemaphysalis is the most common type found in India. The chapter provides the keys to genera of Indian Ixodidae. It describes the life cycle of ticks. Ticks possess many unusual features such as some of the tick species such as Hya. a. anatolicum behave as both two- and three-host ticks, the duration of feeding is restricted to a few minutes and they drop their fed stage only during night when their hosts are taking rest. These features contribute to their remarkable success and vector potential