Hyalomma aegyptium

Also known as the Tortoise tick

Hosts

Tortoises, hedgehog, horse, dog

Distribution

Southern Europe

Hyalomma aegyptium are generally found in hot and dry areas, particularly in burrows of their most common host; tortoises

Pathogenesis

Tortoise: Protozoa

Description

Adult female dorsal features

• Porose areas are small
• Cornua are insignificant
• Overall length of unfed female is 5.5mm-6.5mm
• Engorged females can be up to 20mm in length

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London)

Adult female dorsal view. (Click on picture for a close up)

Adult female ventral features

•  Coxae I: long and distinct internal and external spur, that are large and equal
• Posterior facing spur located on the auriculae

(Specimen courtesy of the Natural History Museum, London).

Adult female ventral view. (Click on the picture for a close up)

Adult male dorsal features

• Cornua distinct
• Overall length of male is 3.8mm-5.6mm

Adult male dorsal view and adult male close up of gnathosoma. (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male ventral features

• Coxae I: long and distinct internal and external spur, that are large and equal
• External spur of coxa I is sharper pointed than in females
• Posterior facing spur on the auriculae
• Ventral plates heavily sclerotised

Adult male ventral view and adult male close up of coxae. (Click on pictures for a close up)

Adult male ventral view of gnathosoma. (Click on picture for a close up)