Two Gynandromorphs of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) from New York State.
Gynandromorphism, the simultaneous occurrence of both male and female genotypic and morphological characteristics in a single individual of a normally sexually dimorphic species, is rare in ticks. The phenomenon is documented previously for free-living specimens representing several tick genera, particularly Amblyomma and Hyalomma, but only rarely in Ixodes. Here we describe the first two known gynandromorphs of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, collected while flagging vegetation during routine tick surveillance in the Hudson Valley region of New York State. Uniquely, both specimens display some morphological features typical of nymphs, in addition to those of both males and females.
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center Biggs Laboratories C-456 - C467B, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237. melissa.prusinski@health.ny.gov.
M A
MA
Prusinski
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Vector Ecology Laboratory, Wadsworth Center Biggs Laboratories C-456 - C467B, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237.United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Science, Technology, and Analysis Services, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, 1920 Dayton Ave., Ames, IA 50010. melissa.prusinski@health.ny.gov.
J W
JW
Mertins
United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Science, Technology, and Analysis Services, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, 1920 Dayton Ave., Ames, IA 50010.
L J
LJ
Meehan
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D057850:Hermaphroditic Organisms; D018884:Ixodes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D009518:New York
Ixodes scapularis; blacklegged tick; gynandromorphism; neoteny; tick morphology