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Also known as the Ornate sheep tick.

 

Hosts

Most mammals: sheep, cattle, deer, dogs, humans, hares, hedgehogs

 

Distribution

Morocco, Spain, Italy, Southern France, Switzerland, Western Germany, Poland

Dermacentor marginatus is generally found in lowland areas as well as mixed/deciduous forests. This species is found in particularly high prevalence in the Rhine valley and around its tributaries.

 

Pathogenesis

Dogs: Babesia canis (causes canine Babesiosis)

Cattle: Babesia divergens

Sheep: Babesia ovis, Theileria ovis, Anaplasma ovis

Horses: Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, Infectious encephalomyelitis

Humans: Rickettsia slovakato (causes a type of boutonneuse fever)

Other pathogens and diseases associated with Dermacentor marginatus include:

Coxiella burnetii (Q fever)

Francisella tularensis (Tularemia)

Rickettsia conorii (Boutonneuse fever)

Russian spring-summer encephalitis virus

Siberian typhus

 

Description

Adult female dorsal features

  • Porose areas narrow and oval
  • Spur absent from article ii of palp
  • Overall length unfed: 4.6-5.4mm
  • Length of engorged female: 15mm

Dermacentor marginatus 2 Dermacentor marginatus diagram 1

Dorsal view of adult female D.marginatus. (Click on pictures for a close up)

(Photograph from Dr John McGarry, University of Liverpool)

Adult female ventral features

  • Coxae I: external and internal spur present, gap between each is considered medium and external spur is slightly shorter than internal spur
  • Genital aperture forms a narrow ‘V’ shape

Dermacentor marginatus 1 Dermacentor marginatus diagram 2

Ventral view of adult female D.marginatus. (Click on pictures for a close up)

(Photograph from Dr John McGarry, University of Liverpool)

Adult male dorsal features

  • Article ii of palps has a small, short spur
  • Cornua length short
  • Trochanter I has a short posterior spur
  • Lateral groove is present on the conscutum indistinct
  • Overall length 4.8-5.8mm

Dermacentor marginatus male 1

Dorsal view of adult male D. marginatus. (click on picture for a close up)

Adult male ventral features

  • Coxae I: external and internal spur present, gap between each is considered medium and external spur is slightly shorter than internal spur
  • Coxae II-IV: short external spurs
  • Coxae IV: enlarged

Dermacentor marginatus male 2

Ventral view of adult male D. marginatus. (click on picture for a close up)

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