[Estimation of the biological age in females of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus by changes in the body shape and surface of cuticle].
A method of visual estimation of the biological age of living hungry tick females by visible changes in the depth of marginal groove and the structure of the alloscutum cuticle during natural ageing is developed. In recently activated individuals, the body is convex and the marginal groove is exposed, demonstrating distinctly visible cuticular microfolds (Figs 1-4). In attenuated ticks, the body is flattened and marginal fold overlays the marginal groove, concealing cuticular microfolds (Figs 5-8).
Balashov
Iu S
IuS
Grigor'eva
L A
LA
Leonovich
S A
SA
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018884:Ixodes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods