ID#: 8677
Caption:
This photograph depicts a dorsal view of an engorged female lone star ixodid, or hard tick, Amblyomma americanum, which was sitting atop a clutch of eggs, a number of which are seen peeking out from beneath its body under its head region. As is exemplified in this specimen, the reduced scutal size enabled the abdomen to expand to enormous proportions when ingesting a blood meal. In the male, the scutum covers almost the entire dorsal abdomen. Also, note the four pairs of jointed legs, placing this, and all ticks, in the phylum, Arthropoda, and the class, Arachnida. To view additional images related to this tick species, see PHIL 4407, 8676, and 8678 through 8685.
High Resolution: Click here for hi-resolution image (12.84 MB)
Content Provider(s): CDC/ Dr. Amanda Loftis, Dr. William Nicholson, Dr. Will Reeves, Dr. Chris Paddock
Creation Date: 2006
Photo Credit: James Gathany
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Copyright Restrictions: None - This image is in the public domain and thus free of any copyright restrictions.