ID#: 8685
Caption:
This photograph depicted a dorsal view of a male lone star ixodid, or hard tick, Amblyomma americanum. The large chitinous scutum on this tick’s dorsal abdomen, identified this as a male, whereas, in the female tick (PHIL 8682, 8683), the scutum is considerably reduced, thereby, allowing for abdominal enlargement when it becomes engorged during ingestion of a blood meal. Also, note the four pairs of jointed legs, placing ticks in the phylum, Arthropoda, and the class, Arachnida. We can also see the tick’s capitulum, or mouthparts, as they extend from the tick’s anterior end.
High Resolution: Click here for hi-resolution image (8.9 MB)
Content Provider(s): CDC/ Dr. Amanda Loftis, Dr. William Nicholson, Dr. Will Reeves, Dr. Chris Paddock
Creation Date: 2006
Photo Credit: James Gathany
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Copyright Restrictions: Permission is not required for public domain images, however, these images are provided by CDC and are available for personal, professional, and educational use with appropriate attribution. Redistribution must credit CDC and, where known, the individual photographer, and identify the CDC website as the free source. For additional terms see Use of Agency Materials | Other | CDC