The Pulvillus: Cuticular Strucuture and Function(Acarina:Ixodida)

Gerald T BAKER

doi:10.2300/acari.6.25

Gerald T BAKER

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Keywords: tick, pulvillus, ultrastructure, cuticle, function, secretion

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1997 Volume 6 Issue 1 Pages 25-31

DOI https://doi.org/10.2300/acari.6.25

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Published: May 25, 1997 Received: September 04, 1996 Available on J-STAGE: June 28, 2010 Accepted: December 02, 1996 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: June 28, 2010 Reason for correction: - Correction: KEYWORD Details: Wrong : Key words: tick, pulvillus, ultrastructure, cuticle, function, secretion
Right : tick, pulvillus, ultrastructure, cuticle, function, secretion

Date of correction: June 28, 2010 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : E
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Abstract

Baker, G. T., 1997. Tick pulvillus: Cuticular structure and function(Acarina: Ixodida). J. Acarol. Soc. Jpn., 6(1): 25-31.
The pulvillus in five ixodid ticks is a large, globular structure that has a thick well-sclerotized dorsal cuticle and a thin, flexible and pleated ventral cuticle. Only an endocuticle and a very thin epicuticle are found in the ventral pleated portion of the pulvillus. The pulvillus is simila in morphology and structure in all post-embryonic stages and no distinct sexual dimorphism is apparent in any of the five species. The central lumen of the pulvillus contains lipid and lipid compounds that are secreted on to the surface on which the tick walks. The material probably has adhesive properties that enable ticks to crawl along and up various kinds of surfaces. If the ventral pulvillar surface is coated, ticks are unable to crawl up a surface in order to reach a potential host.

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