Scanning Electron Microscopy of Ticks for Systematic Studies 2. Structure of Hallerʼs organ in Ixodes brunneus and Ixodes frontalis1
- 20 August 1977
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Medical Entomology
- Vol. 14 (1) , 93-97
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jmedent/14.1.93
Abstract
Hallerʼs organ of females of 2 closely related species, Ixodes brunneus Koch and Ixodes frontalis Panz., were compared by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Applying the 6 characteristics recognized by Homsher & Sonenshine (1975) for SEM analysis, the evidence indicates discontinuous trends in 4 of these characters. Four new characteristics, i.e., capsule aperture area and number, location, and size of the tarsal hump setae, were also used to compare the 2 species. Differences in the capsule aperture and size of the tarsal hump setae provide further support for considering Ixodes brunneus and Ixodes frontalis as distinct species. The potential value of SEM as an aid in the resolution of difficult taxonomic problems in the Acari is discussed.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: