How does a tick’s mouthpart look? - briefly
A tick’s mouthpart consists of a compact capitulum bearing a barbed hypostome for piercing skin, paired chelicerae that cut tissue, and short palpal organs that serve as sensory guides. The structures are needle‑like, highly sclerotized, and arranged to form a rigid feeding tube.
How does a tick’s mouthpart look? - in detail
The feeding apparatus of a tick consists of a compact, ventrally positioned structure called the capitulum. It projects forward from the dorsal idiosoma and is protected by a hardened cuticle. The capitulum contains four main components that work together to pierce host skin and secure blood.
- Chelicerae – a pair of blade‑like, serrated appendages that cut through the epidermis. Each chelicera is slender, curved, and terminates in a sharp tip, allowing the tick to create a small incision.
- Hypostome – a central, barrel‑shaped organ bearing rows of backward‑pointing barbs. The hypostome’s surface is rough, facilitating anchorage within the host’s tissue and preventing dislodgement.
- Palps – a pair of sensory legs situated laterally to the hypostome. Palps are elongated, segmented, and covered with tactile receptors that guide the chelicerae during attachment.
- Basis capituli – the basal plate that unites the chelicerae, hypostome, and palps. It is a robust, shield‑like sclerite that provides structural support and houses the muscles controlling mouthpart movement.
The overall shape of the capitulum is reminiscent of a short, stout proboscis, with the chelicerae flanking the hypostome and the palps extending outward. The barbed hypostome penetrates deep into the dermis, while the chelicerae maintain the entry channel. This arrangement ensures efficient blood uptake and long‑term attachment during the tick’s feeding phase.