To which species does the subcutaneous tick belong? - briefly
The subcutaneous tick is classified as the species «Dermacentor variabilis». This species is the American dog tick, commonly found embedded in subcutaneous tissue of hosts.
To which species does the subcutaneous tick belong? - in detail
The organism responsible for subcutaneous tick findings belongs to the class Arachnida, order Ixodida, family Ixodidae (hard ticks). Within this family, the most frequently identified taxa are:
- genus Ixodes, particularly Ixodes ricinus in Europe and Ixodes scapularis in North America;
- genus Dermacentor, especially Dermacentor variabilis in occasional reports;
- genus Amblyomma, with Amblyomma americanum recorded in rare cases.
These species share morphological traits typical of hard ticks: a dorsal scutum, capitulum visible from above, and a three‑segmented gnathosoma. Their life cycles involve larval, nymphal, and adult stages, each capable of attaching to vertebrate hosts. When attachment occurs in a concealed anatomical site, the tick may migrate into the subcutaneous tissue, where it remains viable for several days before detachment or host‑mediated removal.
The prevalence of subcutaneous occurrence varies among species. Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis exhibit the highest incidence, likely due to their broad host range and propensity for prolonged feeding periods. Dermacentor variabilis and Amblyomma americanum are less common but documented in clinical case series.
Identification of the tick species in subcutaneous locations relies on morphological examination of the exoskeleton, especially the arrangement of festoons, spiracular plates, and genital aperture. Molecular techniques, such as PCR amplification of mitochondrial 16S rRNA, provide confirmation when morphological features are degraded.
In summary, subcutaneous ticks are most often representatives of the hard‑tick genera Ixodes, Dermacentor, and Amblyomma, with Ixodes species constituting the predominant group. Accurate taxonomic determination informs risk assessment for pathogen transmission, as each species serves as a vector for distinct infectious agents.