The spiracle glands in Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Acari: Ixodidae)

J. Suppan (1) , M. Walzl (2) , W. Klepal (1)

1 Core Facility of Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research
2 Department of Integrative Zoology

Within Ixodida, dermal glands associated with spiracles are apparently an exclusive feature of Ixodidae. The function of these glands is still unclear and morphological studies revealed differences between species. The structure of the gland in Ixodes ricinus was examined using electron microscopy. The results are compared with the findings in previously studied species and possible functions of the glands are discussed.

Mots clés: pheromones; sclerites; hygroscopic secretion; spiracle; basal plate glands; calyx

Domaines: Zoologie des invertébrés

J. Suppan, M. Walzl, W. Klepal. The spiracle glands in Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Acari: Ixodidae). Acarologia, 2013, 53 (2), pp.221-230. ⟨10.1051/acarologia/20132091⟩. ⟨hal-01566012⟩