Abstract
BackgroundIxodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. The observations of morphological abnormalities, including nanism, missing leg, extra leg, and gynandromorphism, have been reported in these ticks. In this study, we report the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph.ResultsLarval ticks were allowed to feed on mice and to molt to nymphs. Two anuses were observed in one of the freshly molted nymphs. Stereo and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two anuses in one nymph within a single anal groove.ConclusionsThis report confirms the rare occurrence of double anus in I. scapularis.Graphical
Highlights
Ixodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans
Scanning electron microscopy To analyze the structural features of the tick with double anus in detail, we studied the tick samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
SEM images clearly revealed the presence of two anuses in the abnormal nymph (Fig. 1a, b) and only a single anus in the normal nymph (Fig. 1c, d)
Summary
Ixodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. We report the presence of two anuses in a laboratoryreared I. scapularis nymph. Ticks such as Ixodes scapularis are medically important vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans [1, 2]. In nature, these ticks pass through several different developmental stages in their 2-year life cycle [3]. Nymphs take a blood meal and molt into either adult male or female ticks. Female ticks take a blood meal, mate with male ticks, and lay eggs. Ticks undergo several biotic and abiotic stress conditions during their life-cycle, with potential stress factors including, but are not limited to, changes in temperature, humidity, and lack of hosts to feed upon [3]
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