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There are a number of species of Ixodes found in the UK and Europe that are considered to be host specific. Their role as vector for disease, in some cases are not well understood due to their host specificity, however in some cases these ticks may accidentally be found on domestic animals such as cats due to close proximity rather than host choice. Most of the species described in this section are mainly found on birds or small mammals such as voles.
As with other species of Ixodes covered in this website, males and females are separately identified, please scroll down to the male key
Key to Females
1a.) Legs long and slender
1b.) Legs of moderate length and thickness
2
2a.) Porose area undivided
2b.) Two porose areas
3
3a.) Basal segment of article i of the palps have a lateral spur
3b.) Lateral spur absent
4
4a.) Palps relatively long; article ii + iii as long or longer than the width of the basis capituli
5
4b.) Palps relatively short; article ii+ iii may be fused or shorter that the width of the basis capituli
6
5a.) Coxa I internal spur is long, external spur is small, auriculae is prominent and triangular in shape
5b.) Coxa I internal/external spurs small; auriculae large
5c.) Coxa I have small internal/external spur, external spur indistinct; auriculae is button-shaped
6a.) Article iii wider than article ii creating a club-shape of the palps
7
6b.) Article ii + iii similar width
8
7a.) Coxa I has large, distinct external spur; auriculae are rounded and the palps are blade-shaped
7b.) Coxa I has large, distinct external spur; auriculae appear folded and the palps are club-shaped
7c.) Coxa I external spur absent; auriculae absent; palps are club-like
8.) Coxa I internal spur absent
9
9a.) Tarsus I stepped
9b.) Tarsus I not stepped
Key to Males
1a.) Legs long and slender
1b.) Legs of moderate length and thickness
2
2a.) Brushes of setae present on festoons
3
2b.) Brushes of setae on festoons absent
4
3a.) Coxa I has an external spur
3b.) Coxa I lacks external spur
4a.) Coxa I lacks distinct spurs
8
4b.) Coxa I has 1-2 distinct spurs
5
5a.) Article ii + iii fused
5b.) Article ii + iii shows true division
6
6a.) Coxa I with external spur only
6b.) Coxa I with internal and external spurs
7
7a.) Pairing of internal and external spur unequal
7b.) Pairing of internal and external spur equal
8a.) Posterior margin of basis viewed dorsally is narrow
9
8b.) Posterior margin of basis viewed dorsally wide
10
9a.) Body is large and round, with a wide margin surrounding the conscutum; palps are club-like
9b.) Body is small, lacking margin around conscutum; palps small and uniform with a division visible
10a.) Palps small; dorsal basis narrows posteriorly; spurs absent on coxa I
10b.) Palps small; dorsal basis is rectangular in shape; spurs absent on coxa I
