Color Patterning in Hard Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

Among the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), many species in the section Metastriata have intricate ornamentation on the scutum that is often used as a taxonomic character. However, the biological function(s) of this ornamentation remains unknown. Here, we summarize the main functions of color patterns r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical entomology 2018-01, Vol.55 (1), p.1-13
Main Authors: Schachat, Sandra R., Robbins, Richard G., Goddard, Jerome
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acari
Aposematism
Camouflage
Color
ecology
FORUM
Ixodidae
Mate recognition
Metastriata
ornamentation
Pattern recognition
sexual selection
Signaling
Thermoregulation
Ticks
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Summary:Among the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), many species in the section Metastriata have intricate ornamentation on the scutum that is often used as a taxonomic character. However, the biological function(s) of this ornamentation remains unknown. Here, we summarize the main functions of color patterns recognized in the animal kingdom— thermoregulation, aposematism, camouflage, aggregation, mate recognition, and sexual signaling—and evaluate the potential of each of these to explain ornamentation in hard ticks. We also note the challenges and uncertainties involved in interpreting ornamentation in ticks as well as potential approaches for future research.
ISSN:0022-2585
1938-2928
DOI:10.1093/jme/tjx173