What is a dermato‑phagous tick? - briefly
A dermato‑phagous tick is a blood‑feeding arachnid that attaches to the skin of vertebrate hosts to obtain a meal. It belongs to the family Ixodidae and can transmit pathogens while feeding.
What is a dermato‑phagous tick? - in detail
The dermato‑phagous tick is a hematophagous arachnid belonging to the family Ixodidae. It attaches to the epidermis of vertebrate hosts, inserts its hypostome, and draws blood through a specialized salivary apparatus that contains anticoagulant and immunomodulatory compounds.
Morphologically, the adult exhibits a dorsally convex idiosoma covered with festoons, a scutum in males, and elongated palps. Legs I–IV are equipped with sensory Haller’s organs that detect heat, carbon‑dioxide, and host movement. The mouthparts consist of chelicerae, a barbed hypostome, and a capitulum that secures the parasite during prolonged feeding periods ranging from several days to a week.
Ecologically, species classified as dermato‑phagous are distributed across temperate and subtropical regions, favoring habitats with dense vegetation where hosts such as mammals, birds, and reptiles are abundant. Seasonal activity peaks in spring and early summer, coinciding with host breeding cycles.
Medical relevance stems from the tick’s capacity to transmit pathogens. Vector competence includes bacteria of the genera Borrelia and Rickettsia, protozoa such as Babesia, and viruses like tick‑borne encephalitis virus. Transmission occurs during saliva injection, which also induces local inflammation, erythema, and, in some cases, allergic reactions to tick saliva proteins.
Control measures focus on environmental management and host protection:
- Regular mowing of grass and removal of leaf litter to reduce questing sites.
- Application of acaricides to livestock and domestic animals, following recommended dosages to avoid resistance.
- Use of repellents containing permethrin or DEET on human skin and clothing.
- Implementation of wildlife vaccination programs where feasible, targeting reservoir hosts that maintain pathogen cycles.
Laboratory identification relies on morphological keys supplemented by molecular techniques such as PCR amplification of mitochondrial 16S rRNA genes, enabling precise species determination and assessment of pathogen load.
Understanding the biology, ecology, and vector potential of dermato‑phagous ticks informs public‑health strategies aimed at minimizing tick‑borne disease incidence.