Professional paper
Identification keys for nymphae and larvae of the ixodid species Ixodes ricinus
Kristina Perez
Franjo Martinković
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Hard ticks are obligate, hematophagous ectoparasites that are biological and mechanical vectors. They are reservoirs of numerous viruses, bacteria, protists and helminths that cause infectious diseases in animals and humans. Within the Ixodidae family in the Palearctic region, the genus Ixodes is most numerous and includes 59 hard tick species which are morphologically different. The Ixodes ricinus species is the most widespread hard tick species in Europe which makes it the most notable vector of many tick-borne diseases. Therefore, the aim of this professional paper was to present morphological keys to facilitate the identification of this species, and thus allows on time the necessary experts and laypersons to suspect and diagnose certain diseases whose causative agents can be transmitted by this species.
Keywords
hard ticks; morphology; Ixodes ricinus
Hrčak ID:
274841
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2021.
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