Double anus in an Ixodes scapularis nymph, a medically important tick vector

Parasites & Vectors

Vikas Taank¹  Girish Neelakanta²  Hameeda Sultana²  Frank A. Lattanzio³ 

[1] Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA;Center for Molecular Medicine, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA;Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 37996, Knoxville, TN, USA;Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA;

关键词: Abnormalities;    Anus;    Microinjection;    Ixodes scapularis;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13071-021-04757-8

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIxodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. The observations of morphological abnormalities, including nanism, missing leg, extra leg, and gynandromorphism, have been reported in these ticks. In this study, we report the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph.ResultsLarval ticks were allowed to feed on mice and to molt to nymphs. Two anuses were observed in one of the freshly molted nymphs. Stereo and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two anuses in one nymph within a single anal groove.ConclusionsThis report confirms the rare occurrence of double anus in I. scapularis.Graphic Abstract

【 授权许可】

CC BY