Dermacentor (genus)

Ixodidae • Ixodida (ticks) • Arachnida (parasites/med.) • veterinary/medical pests • pests-diseases-weeds

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Dermacentor variabilis (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): Gary Alpert, Harvard University
Source: IPM Images

Dermacentor Koch, 1844

The genus contains more than 30 species and is native in all continents except Australia. The hosts of Dermacentor ticks include humans and many large and small mammals. Bites can result in substantial blood loss, paralysis through the injection of toxins and transmission of diseases. The main disease agents transmitted are Rickettsia, Coxiella, Anaplasma and viruses.

Dermacentor species are comparatively large ticks with an ornate scutum, eyes, a rectangular basis capituli, palps which are usually wider than long, and an anal grove which is located behind the anus.

Type species: Dermacentor reticulatus

Currently, the following species have been entered into the system:

• Dermacentor andersoni
• Dermacentor auratus
• Dermacentor marginatus
• Dermacentor nitens
• Dermacentor nuttalli

• Dermacentor occidentalis
• Dermacentor parumapertus
• Dermacentor reticulatus
• Dermacentor silvarum
• Dermacentor variabilis