THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF THE EYED-TAMPAN TICK ORNITHODOROS SAVIGNYI AUDOUIN, 1827 (IXODOIDEA, ARGASIDAE)

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In adult eyed-tampan tick there is only one pair of crescentic opening, one on either side of the body, dorsal to the fourth subcoxa (coxa of other authors) and above the supracoxal fold. Each spiracle consists of a pad-like macula, a crescentic spiracular plate and a slit-like ostium in between them. The spiracular plate and the macula are sclerotized structure and therefore differ from the idiosomal integument in its histological make up. The epicuticle of spiracular plate is supported internally by the pedicels which are solid structures and not hollow. The ostium continues into the atrium whence five main tracheal trunks run to various body regions. The two trunks, anterodorsal and the posterodorsal supply the dorsal body surface where as the remaining three-the anteroventral, ventral posteromedian and the posteroventral trunks supply the ventral body surface. The branches of anteroventral trunk go to the anterior body regions but most of the larger branches from both the sides unite below the central ganglionic mass and from the ventral tracheal sinus. This sinus is a peculiar feature in the eyed-tampan tick which has not been mentioned in any other tick. Probably, this sinus stores air which can be used by the tick when it conceals beneath the soil layers. A single muscle closes the ostium while it is opened by the elasticity of its own wall.