What does the Ural tick look like? - briefly
The Ural tick, Dermacentor marginatus, is a medium‑sized, dark brown arachnid measuring approximately 4–7 mm in length when unfed, featuring a rounded, shield‑shaped scutum on the dorsal side and pale, festooned markings on its legs. Its body is oval, with a slightly flattened dorsal surface and a pair of prominent eyes positioned near the front of the idiosoma.
What does the Ural tick look like? - in detail
The Ural tick, a hard‑shell species common in the Ural Mountains and surrounding regions, exhibits distinct morphological traits that facilitate identification in the field.
Adults range from 3 mm to 5 mm in length when unfed; engorged females can expand to 10 mm or more. The dorsal shield (scutum) is brown‑ish‑black with a characteristic pattern of light‑colored, irregularly shaped spots forming a reticulate design. In males, the scutum extends across the entire dorsum, while in females it covers only the anterior half, leaving the posterior abdomen uncovered.
Key external features include:
- Capitulum: elongated mouthparts with a short, ventrally positioned hypostome bearing rows of backward‑pointing teeth.
- Palps: robust, rectangular, and darker than the surrounding integument.
- Legs: eight legs, each bearing a short terminal spur; leg segments display alternating light and dark bands, especially evident on the femora.
- Eyes: two well‑developed dorsal eyes located near the anterior margin of the scutum.
- Genital aperture: positioned ventrally on the posterior abdomen of females; males possess a conspicuous gonopore near the ventral midline.
The ventral surface is lighter in color, often pale‑yellow to cream, with a smooth, unornamented integument. When engorged, the abdomen becomes distended and translucent, revealing the blood meal within. Seasonal coloration may vary slightly, with a tendency toward darker hues in cooler months.
These characteristics provide a reliable basis for distinguishing the Ural tick from other Dermacentor species and from ixodid ticks of different genera.