Observations On Copulation In Ixodes Holocyclus Neumann And The Feeding Of The Male

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Abstract
Some female Ixodes holocydus Neumann removed from their natural hosts were found with males attached to their ventral surfaces. These males were engaged in two separate processes, copulation and feeding. At the start of copulation the male's mouthparts are inserted into the genital aperture of the female where they remain throughout the entire process. A flask-shaped spermatophore produced by the male is moved from his genital aperture to female's by a sliding movement of his body, and then apparently implanted there by his mouthparts. The male I. holocydus parasitizes the female, his mouthparts penetrating her integument feeding on haemolymph. A permanent scar forms at the site of attachment, usually along the genital groove. Male attachment for feeding usually occurs to partially engorged females more than 4.5 mm in length.

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