What is the mouth called in ticks? - briefly
The feeding organ of a tick is called the hypostome, a barbed structure within the capitulum. It works together with the chelicerae and pedipalps to pierce and anchor to the host.
What is the mouth called in ticks? - in detail
Ticks possess a specialized oral apparatus known as the capitulum. The capitulum comprises several distinct structures that together enable blood feeding.
The primary component is the hypostome, a barbed, cone‑shaped organ that penetrates host tissue and anchors the tick during feeding. Surrounding the hypostome are the chelicerae, a pair of sharp, blade‑like appendages that cut through the epidermis to create an entry point. Adjacent to these are the palps, sensory legs that locate the host and assess the feeding site. Together, the hypostome, chelicerae, and palps form the functional mouthparts of the tick.
Additional elements include the salivary glands, which connect to the hypostome via a canal system and secrete anti‑coagulants and anesthetics to facilitate prolonged blood ingestion. The mouthparts are encased in a protective cuticular sheath that can be retracted when the tick is not feeding.
In summary, the tick’s mouth is referred to as the capitulum, consisting of the hypostome, chelicerae, and palps, each playing a specific role in host attachment, tissue penetration, and sensory detection.