Ixodida
Sign in to saveTicks are parasitic arachnids of the order Ixodida. They are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, and species, but can become larger when engorged. Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. The timing of the origin of ticks is uncertain, though the oldest known tick fossils are around 100 million years old, and come from the Cretaceous period. Ticks are widely distributed around the world, especially in warm, humid climates.
AI overview
Ixodida is the scientific order that includes ticks, small parasitic arachnids about 3 to 5 mm long that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes other animals. Ticks matter because they are widespread around the world, particularly in warm and humid environments, and have existed for at least 100 million years as persistent external parasites.
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Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Subclass of
- hematophage
- Parent taxon
- Parasitiformes
- Image
- Ticks Dönitz, Dermacentor rhinocerinus (w).jpg
Show 3 more facts
- P105
Article
25 sectionsContents
- Biology
- Taxonomy and phylogeny
- Anatomy and physiology
- Ixodidae
- Argasidae
- Nuttalliellidae
- Diet and feeding
- Range and habitat
- Ecology
- Life cycle
- Ixodidae
- One-host ticks
- Two-host ticks
- Three-host ticks
- Argasidae
- Nuttalliellidae
- Relationship with humans
- Tick-borne disease
- Population control measures
- In the arts
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Ticks are parasitic arachnids of the order Ixodida. They are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, and species, but can become larger when engorged. Ticks are external parasites, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. The timing of the origin of ticks is uncertain, though the oldest known tick fossils are around 100 million years old, and come from the Cretaceous period. Ticks are widely distributed around the world, especially in warm, humid climates.
Ticks belong to two major families: the Ixodidae, or hard ticks, and the Argasidae, or soft ticks. Nuttalliella, a genus of tick from southern Africa, is the only living member of the family Nuttalliellidae, which represents the most primitive living lineage of ticks. Adults have ovoid/pear-shaped bodies (idiosomas) which become engorged with blood when they feed, and eight legs. Their cephalothorax and abdomen are completely fused. In addition to having a hard shield on their dorsal surfaces, known as the scutum, hard ticks have a beak-like structure at the front containing the mouthparts, whereas soft ticks have their mouthparts on the underside of their bodies. Ticks locate potential hosts by sensing odor, body heat, moisture, and/or vibrations in the environment.